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
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
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 3 Oct. 2025
Acute instances of dental fear elicit intense psychological and physical reactions such as anxiety, sweating, heart palpitations, dizziness, nausea, and even dissociation.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2025
This system, which also forbids committee members from having a personal stake in any of the companies at issue, appears to be working, as there seem to be no obvious instances of a company buying its way onto the list.
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
The Israeli military has acknowledged firing warning shots toward crowds in some instances and denied responsibility for other casualties near aid hubs.
—Soph Warnes, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Because some agencies track students’ compliance with vaccine requirements — not actual vaccination status — the true vaccination rate could be lower than reported in those instances.
—Suhail Bhat, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
In October 2023 alone,1,330 instances of antisemitism were reported by the CST, which includes assault, damage or desecration, threats and abusive behavior against Jews.
—Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
There were 6,870 instances of book bans across 23 states and 87 public school districts in the 2024-2025 school year, the report said.
—Deena Zaru, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2025
Fights are instances where all involved youth mutually intend to cause harm; assaults are characterized by a clear perpetrator and victim, according to the division.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
To review or object to instances where our partners assert a legitimate interest in utilizing your data, please visit our vendors page.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 3 Oct. 2025
Acute instances of dental fear elicit intense psychological and physical reactions such as anxiety, sweating, heart palpitations, dizziness, nausea, and even dissociation.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2025
This system, which also forbids committee members from having a personal stake in any of the companies at issue, appears to be working, as there seem to be no obvious instances of a company buying its way onto the list.
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
The Israeli military has acknowledged firing warning shots toward crowds in some instances and denied responsibility for other casualties near aid hubs.
—Soph Warnes, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Because some agencies track students’ compliance with vaccine requirements — not actual vaccination status — the true vaccination rate could be lower than reported in those instances.
—Suhail Bhat, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
In October 2023 alone,1,330 instances of antisemitism were reported by the CST, which includes assault, damage or desecration, threats and abusive behavior against Jews.
—Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
There were 6,870 instances of book bans across 23 states and 87 public school districts in the 2024-2025 school year, the report said.
—Deena Zaru, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2025
Fights are instances where all involved youth mutually intend to cause harm; assaults are characterized by a clear perpetrator and victim, according to the division.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instances
Noun
-
Woolf noted that growing up in challenging environments can contribute to mental illness, pointing to examples such as living in a country affected by war or civil unrest.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
While early cars in concours condition might be valued at $90,000, good-condition examples should be in the $25,000 to $30,000 range.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Zimmerman cites a survey finding that, in one semester, half of the respondents from a wide range of institutions hadn’t taken a single course that required writing more than twenty pages, total.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
30 Sep. 2025
-
As Mason cites in her book, a psychological study from the 1970s found that people were more likely to comply with a request if they were given a reason behind it.—
Sophie Caldwell,
CNBC,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The affidavit mentions that police obtained a search warrant to collect Sanchez’s phone and clothes from the hospital.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
As a professional organizer, my ears perk up anytime someone mentions the words ‘declutter’, ‘organize’, or ‘tidy,' in a conversation about productivity.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This ruling comes amid broader debates in the United States over the future of TPS, a humanitarian immigration program, and illustrates the judiciary’s influential role in shaping national immigration policy.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Shot on location surrounded by her horses, the campaign illustrates elevated pieces designed for today’s modern wardrobe, and shows Springsteen in her truest from.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
At the end of their version of Cinderella, the tragic stepsisters cut off the backs of their heels to try to fit into the glass slipper; the prince only notices the deception when their stockings fill with blood.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The paper notices warning of upcoming cleanups have a phone number for people to call when belongings are taken, and the city is supposed to hold onto that property for at least 90 days before it is thrown away.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Kinethreads demonstrates that high-quality haptics no longer need to be locked behind expensive, rigid exoskeletons.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Sep. 2025
-
In this era, as the rest of the postseason field demonstrates, that makes Milwaukee one of the exceptions to the rule.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The dress code also specifies the type of shoes to be worn and forbids facial tattoos or more than one facial piercing.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Each recipe is indicated by a code—O means the Four Roses distillery; B or E indicates the mashbill (B is 35 percent rye, E is 20 percent rye); S means straight whiskey; and the last letter specifies the yeast strain, each of which brings a different flavor profile to the whiskey.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The Dan Marino quotes lining the walls of Hard Rock Stadium fascinated the AD.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Hell, there’s an entire TikTok channel that just features a guy reading different Bourdain quotes over travel montages and, sometimes, Bourdain clip shows.—
Tres Dean,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instances. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share