instances 1 of 2

noun

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

Relevance

instances

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of instance
1
as in cites
to give as an example instanced one particular incident as an illustration of their penchant for practical jokes

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in mentions
to make reference to or speak about briefly but specifically instanced the latest astronomical research in her presentation on measuring star magnitude

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in illustrates
to show or make clear by using examples instanced the hero's moral courage with several examples from the novel

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
To use isolated instances of interpersonal discord as a pretext to strip 18 distinct counties of their democratic home rule is a severe structural overreaction. — Eric Wargotz, Baltimore Sun, 3 Nov. 2026 Even the administration's own record of arrests and charges has demonstrated what research and state investigations have made clear for years — that instances of noncitizens casting ballots are extremely rare. — ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026 That's almost certainly an undercount, the organization says, because so many ads don't contain disclaimers and because determining AI use is difficult in some instances. — Julia Boorstin, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026 Since 1934, there have been just three instances in which the sitting president's party has gained House seats in non-presidential election years, according to the American Presidency Project. — Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026 In a two-page editorial published in 1976, Katzman argued that some instances of early- and late-onset dementia should be grouped together as Alzheimer’s disease. — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026 Here’s one of those rare instances where someone actually welcomed a urinary tract infection. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Nov. 2026 While more cities are canceling their contracts with Flock Safety, just as many are discovering how difficult that can be in some instances. — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 1 Nov. 2026 The court has placed that type of outside political advocacy in a different category from campaigns run directly by candidates, which are in many instances subject to fundraising limits. — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instances
  1. examples
  2. cites
  3. mentions
  4. illustrates
  5. references
  6. notices
  7. demonstrates
  8. specifies
Noun
  • But the objects we are left with, to take both Kaplan and Naumann as examples, often fall short of what either a painting or sculpture can be—and, without the theater play itself, what of the pertinent conversation?
    — Kristian Vistrup Madsen, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The proceeds of each of the 10 examples of the $497,000 Akrivia x Louis Vuitton LVRR-01 went toward supporting winners of the prize, who received 150,000 euros (approximately $173,150) plus a year-long mentorship from La Fabrique du Temps.
    — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of examples
Verb
  • The committee cites a number of causes for this beyond the obvious geopolitical ones, like a change in the way the government awards subsidies that has negatively impacted cheaper vehicles.
    — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Ozell is a jazz singer and songwriter who has released two albums — 2015’s Take It With Me and 2020’s Overnight Lows — and cites Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, and Cassandra Wilson as influences.
    — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of cites
Verb
  • Kim’s campaign website mentions public models in New Zealand, France and Spain as examples the state could use as inspiration.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Much of the advertising for the measure just mentions the gender-affirming care ban, which would go into the state constitution to strengthen bans already in state law.
    — Jahd Khalil, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of mentions
Verb
  • Listen displays album artwork and playback information, while Climate illustrates cabin airflow and seat temperature.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The record illustrates how artists can combine music, video content, and direct engagement with listeners.
    — Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of illustrates
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
Definition of references
Verb
  • As for why, Guichelaar cited past court rulings in the Netherlands that sided with user privacy over entertainment companies' copyright infringement notices to alleged offenders.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
  • If There Are Basic Bedside Essentials Joyner also notices whether or not the bedside table in the guest room is equipped with a few basics.
    — Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of notices
Verb
  • Doe’s case demonstrates just how complex Title IX cases are, even under the more protective policies afforded to accusers by past presidential administrations.
    — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • For now, the work demonstrates a limited but automated connection between detecting an odor and recreating a corresponding scent elsewhere.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of demonstrates
Verb
  • But any agreement that specifies which uses of AI are taboo would be better than a status quo that prohibits none.
    — NIALL FERGUSON, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026
  • However, the contract lists Sacramento as Kennah's office and specifies the lower rate.
    — Tyler Horst, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of specifies

Browse Nearby Words

instanced
instances
instancies
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Instances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instances. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of quondam

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All