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
Law Murray, New York Times, 21 May 2026
In the years after the schedule was relaxed, three more instances were discovered before the crash.
—ABC News, 20 May 2026
Slaughter was fired without cause, which clashed with a 1914 law that limited the president's ability to remove an FTC commissioner to instances of inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 20 May 2026
In the very rare instances of direct danger, like encountering a particularly nasty beast with huge scythe claws, getting hit only leads to the screen fading out and Yoshi reappearing at the start of the stage.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 19 May 2026
But there were instances in which the frontman’s flourishes may have come off as a bit too indulgent.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 19 May 2026
In most instances, dry wood splits more easily than wet wood.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Overall, the use of less-lethal weapons rose 57% last year, while instances of officers pointing guns at suspects dropped 18%.
—Idaho Statesman, 13 May 2026
This is one of several instances of emotional realism that pierce the film’s temporal veil — turning it, in theory, from a series of recollections into a more pressing and contemporary saga of how war trickles down and transforms the lives of young girls in fundamental ways.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 13 May 2026
Noun
His floor in the postseason is well documented, with single-digit scoring performances, games with more turnovers than field goals and instances of matador defense.
—Law Murray, New York Times, 21 May 2026
In the years after the schedule was relaxed, three more instances were discovered before the crash.
—ABC News, 20 May 2026
Slaughter was fired without cause, which clashed with a 1914 law that limited the president's ability to remove an FTC commissioner to instances of inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 20 May 2026
In the very rare instances of direct danger, like encountering a particularly nasty beast with huge scythe claws, getting hit only leads to the screen fading out and Yoshi reappearing at the start of the stage.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 19 May 2026
But there were instances in which the frontman’s flourishes may have come off as a bit too indulgent.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 19 May 2026
In most instances, dry wood splits more easily than wet wood.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
Overall, the use of less-lethal weapons rose 57% last year, while instances of officers pointing guns at suspects dropped 18%.
—Idaho Statesman, 13 May 2026
This is one of several instances of emotional realism that pierce the film’s temporal veil — turning it, in theory, from a series of recollections into a more pressing and contemporary saga of how war trickles down and transforms the lives of young girls in fundamental ways.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instances
Noun
-
Other recent examples of state-level litigation also have focused on addressing residential segregation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 May 2026
-
One of the most notable examples of this is back in 2010, when Airbnb formed a partnership with Craigslist to cross-post its listings.—
Micah Logan,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Report cites segregation in Massachusetts schools A 2024 state advisory council report found that 63% of all schools in Massachusetts are segregated or intensely segregated, and that the state education department had fallen short in its oversight duties.—
Annie Ma,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
-
This proof might be the highest-profile math result that explicitly cites the use of an LLM—but the artificial intelligence’s work ultimately wasn’t used, and its originality is impossible to determine.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The Bible mentions oaks 60 times.—
Joseph Bonasia,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
-
Inés has been raised in a world of strange ellipses, and hardly bats an eye when the hotel bartender goes quiet after someone mentions his missing brother, but Hanna (Maia Rae Domagala) is a different story.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Instability in several of the world’s most important energy suppliers illustrates how quickly geopolitical crises can ripple through global markets.—
Yu Jie,
Time,
13 May 2026
-
Greene’s experience illustrates a broader challenge.—
Davi Jacobs,
Baltimore Sun,
13 May 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
-
Just to make things even messier and more over-plotted, Sylvie notices a light on for five days straight in an upper-floor apartment, reporting to the cops her concern that the old man who lives there might have died.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
-
If the bear is sitting at a distance, feeding or walking by and notices you but continues its natural behavior, do not take any action.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Publishing books by authors who endorse the BDS movement demonstrates to Israeli readers that opposition to occupation, apartheid, and genocide is what lies at the heart of the boycott—a clearly legitimate form of nonviolent political protest.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
19 May 2026
-
Python incentives and education specialist Robert Edman, with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, demonstrates how to catch a python during an event promoting the Florida Python Challenge 2020 Python Bowl in 2019.—
Morgan Rynor,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The law specifies the restrictions that, if respected, render an expenditure independent.—
Lawrence Lessig,
Time,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The commission also specifies that these tools must be made available free of charge.—
Robert Pearlman,
ArsTechnica,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instances. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
