instances 1 of 2

plural of instance
as in examples
one of a group or collection that shows what the whole is like this is just one instance of his repeated failure to do what he promised

Synonyms & Similar Words

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instances

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of instance
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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of instances
Noun
One complicating factor is those instances where players moved clubs during the tournament. Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 July 2026 In both instances, Foreign Tongues by the Rolling Stones beats MCR to the throne. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 Ragusa passed a full 44 years without any instances of the plague and shook off outbreaks that decimated the population of other regions. Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 July 2026 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into Waymo in May after instances during which the self-driving cars collided with objects that a human driver could have easily avoided. Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026 As a result, in its most recent tally, from the 2024–25 school year, PEN America recorded 6,870 instances of new restrictions. Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026 The majority of Maryland faced a Code Purple air quality alert Friday, one of the worst instances since 2023. Nicole Pilsbury, Baltimore Sun, 17 July 2026 Martinez has faced previous ethics complaints The Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct has publicly disciplined Martinez in multiple instances, according to court records. Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026 So instead of a unifying ideology driving this uptick in violence, as during the 1980s, these instances seem more disparate. Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instances
Noun
  • They were first popularized in Georgian England as small tokens of affection, infatuation or mourning, and examples are scattered across major museums such as the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The best treatment is prevention, and vaccination remains one of the clearest examples of that principle in action.
    Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In at least some cases, federal authorities reported loss of monitoring and control functionality at critical infrastructure cites, leading to pressure loss and flooding.
    Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Stevenson cites Hall and Chateau Montelena as good examples of tasting rooms that now accept walk-ins.
    Katie Sweeney, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Verb
  • Stockman also mentions that a software update will turn that Core screen into second controller, offering the ability to switch on lights, inverter, A/C and other hardware from inside.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 July 2026
  • As Solis mentions in the intro, look for soft tones with relaxed and comfortable materials.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • The Howard episode dramatically illustrates two seemingly contradictory facts about the 10 private and 10 public schools honored on Forbes’ first-ever ranking of America’s Top HBCUs.
    Asia Alexander, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The backtracking illustrates how the politics of criminal justice have shifted since 2020, posing dilemmas for Democrats’ midterm strategy and their ability to enact their preferred solutions.
    ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • Small Town Girls references two shootings, a reference to the gun violence that’s a staple of American life, now more than ever.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Their manager notices something seems off but isn't sure what to do.
    Stephen Sokoler, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Caleb Easton wasn’t one of them, but the trio notices that Caleb’s car was in the background shot of the CCTV footage of Jane and Adrian.
    Erin Qualey, Vulture, 27 July 2026
Verb
  • There’s another comparison between Homer and the Bible that demonstrates parallels between Jesus and Odysseus while asserting Jesus’ superiority,MacDonald says.
    John Blake, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Through her writing, Bowser demonstrates her commitment to illuminating the untold, challenging perspectives and igniting conversations that resonate beyond the headlines.
    Martie Bowser, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The gist is that Congress specifies the minimum set of nationwide protections, referred to as a federal floor, while the states then enact stricter requirements, doing so up to some maximum known as a state-level ceiling.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • The company uses whatever bricks and mortar a contractor already specifies, meaning regulators see nothing new to approve.
    Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 15 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Instances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instances. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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