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

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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

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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

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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

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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
According to the library association's most recent report, published in April, some 5,600 instances of bans took place during the previous year. — Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026 Despite the popularity of Asian foods, there are still instances of ugly stereotypes on social media that have resulted in real harm to a restaurant's reputation. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026 In a search warrant affidavit made public last year, detectives said the video recordings showed multiple instances of physical and emotional abuse, including a nanny striking a child, then forcing them to hold a squatting position. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 In other instances, such as in Louisiana, an AI law was enacted after the ad aired. — Michael Franz, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026 The decision serves as a marker of democracy in a political system that protects the rights of minorities in instances when one side has an overwhelming majority. — The Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Oct. 2026 In instances like these, and there are many of them, one realizes how the novel acquires, and justifies, its title. — Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026 And the drumbeat of safety concerns continue to beat louder, with AI companies revealing more instances of models acting without human authorization in the past week. — Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026 There have also been multiple cases of ALPR errors leading to wrongful police stops or instances of the technology being abused, according to a recent CBS News investigation. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instances
  1. examples
  2. cites
  3. mentions
  4. illustrates
  5. references
  6. notices
  7. demonstrates
  8. specifies
Noun
  • Today, Japanese designers are firmly established on the vintage market and early examples can command extraordinary prices.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • There were loads of other striking red carpet moments in London, too, Florence Pugh’s corseted Wiederhoeft gown and Scarlett Johansson’s red-hot custom Prada dress being two prime examples.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of examples
Verb
  • The filing cites items that were seized from her home in a federal investigation with no assurance that they will be returned, as well as unauthorized people who gained access to her Los Angeles residence.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • This year, the State Department again cites Cubans fraudulently recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of cites
Verb
  • When Waits mentions the burglar alarm that sealed Ceaser’s fate, Duke’s piano shimmers dramatically.
    — Al Shipley, SPIN, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The agenda item recommending rejection, which was moved forward by the board’s Fiscal Accountability & Government Relations Committee, mentions that Columbus High proposed to either buy or enter into a long-term lease on the property.
    — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of mentions
Verb
  • Under Armour's operating income, which illustrates its underlying profitability, turned negative in fiscal 2025 and 2026.
    — Ryan Baker, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
  • More broadly, the expansion illustrates how advanced technology, industrial investment and acquisition reform are increasingly interconnected in modern defence planning.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 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
  • In my experience running organic and paid search programs for B2B software companies, this shows up long before anyone notices it in a budget review.
    — Gaetano Romeo, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • About ten minutes into the standoff, the detective notices Bottom holding something in his hand.
    — Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of notices
Verb
  • For now, AthenaZero demonstrates a promising direction for robotic design.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Despite the deep divide on governance, and disagreements on governance in Bangladesh, the 300-signatory milestone demonstrates that international brands remain committed to the Accord’s core principle.
    — Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of demonstrates
Verb
  • Interestingly, though, nothing in these six conditions specifies a human on the other side.
    — Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Before buying, confirm the device lists wavelengths in the 630-to-850-nanometer range and specifies power output.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of specifies

Browse Nearby Words

instanced
instances
instancies
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Cite this Entry

“Instances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instances. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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