Synonyms of immediate

immediate

adjective

i-ˈmē-dē-ət 

1

as in instantaneous

done or occurring without any noticeable lapse in time

felt immediate relief after taking the painkiller

Synonyms & Similar Words

• instantaneous
• instant
• rapid
• split-second
• quick
• swift
• summary
• straightaway
• prompt
• speedy
• fast
• hit-and-run

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• slow
• prolonged
• sluggish
• protracted
• deferred
• tardy
• dilatory
• delayed

2

as in primary

done or working without something else coming in between

she is my immediate superior, so I report to her

Synonyms & Similar Words

• primary
• direct
• firsthand
• unmediated
• clinical
• empirical
• efficient
• proximate
• hands-on

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indirect
• secondhand

3

as in swift

done, carried out, or given without delay

immediate treatment saved the victim of the massive heart attack

Synonyms & Similar Words

• swift
• timely
• quick
• prompt
• speedy
• early
• punctual
• ready
• apt
• willing
• opportune
• seasonable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• belated
• late
• tardy
• overdue
• delinquent
• delayed
• behind
• slow
• detained
• latish
• dilatory
• laggard
• behindhand

4

as in near

not being distant in time, space, or significance

for the victims of the terrorist attack, the incident is as immediate as yesterday's news

Synonyms & Similar Words

• near
• close
• nearby
• proximate
• at hand
• next-door
• neighboring
• to hand
• convenient
• nigh
• coming
• adjacent
• close-up
• contiguous
• forthcoming
• adjoining
• upcoming
• handy
• oncoming
• accessible
• approaching
• abutting
• bordering
• close-in
• hand-to-hand

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• distant
• deep
• remote
• far
• away
• far-off
• faraway
• separated
• divorced
• removed

5

as in current

existing or in progress right now

we need to solve the immediate problems before working on the more long-term ones

Synonyms & Similar Words

• current
• ongoing
• present
• recent
• instant
• existing
• new
• present-day
• existent
• extant
• modern
• contemporary
• modernistic
• up-to-date
• newfangled
• ultramodern
• being
• breathing
• mod
• supermodern
• red-hot
• space-age
• new-fashioned
• living

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• future
• coming
• unborn
• over
• terminated
• through
• up
• ended
• finished
• completed
• old
• ancient
• obsolete
• done
• concluded
• past
• archaic
• former
• old-time
• antiquated
• old-fashioned
• antique
• antediluvian
• out-of-date
• outworn
• dated
• erstwhile
• musty
• bygone
• noncontemporary
• fusty
• ago
• oldfangled
• passé

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of immediate

There are caveats in the wording, which allow treatment as before if the keeper is fouled or suffers an impact injury and needs immediate attention. — Graham Scott, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Lightning can strike well outside the immediate area of heavy rain. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

The court also sided with the FCC over Disney on the schedule going forward and has declined Disney’s request for an immediate injunction. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026

Pritzker’s campaign had no immediate comment on Chicago being out of the running for the next convention. — Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026