1
as in instantaneous
done or occurring without any noticeable lapse in time
an instant response to the cry for help
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in urgent
needing immediate attention
an instant need for food supplies in the famine-stricken country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in current
existing or in progress right now
we should be more concerned with instant dangers than with those in the far-off future
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in minute
a very small space of time
it all happened in an instant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instant
Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
The best way to know if the curd is done cooking is to use an instant read thermometer.
—Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
Arpon Basu, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
And then, in an instant, the 2025 Angels returned.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instant
Adjective
But robot developers require a much more specific set of training data, and lack the same kind of instant library that the internet previously provided.
—Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
The best way to know if the curd is done cooking is to use an instant read thermometer.
—Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
But Demidov made a quick turn down the boards before, in an instant, leaning hard into his edges once more toward the blue line, leaving Jensen moving in the wrong direction.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
And then, in an instant, the 2025 Angels returned.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instant
Adjective
-
Recent advances in ultrafast measurement techniques have revealed that electron emission is not instantaneous, as once believed, but influenced by complex interactions within atoms.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Seimetz’s icy chemistry with Infiniti is instantaneous and surprisingly light on its feet, reflective of the show as a whole despite the heavy themes.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
For now, the need for RAM's clinics remains urgent and growing.—
Brit McCandless Farmer,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The urgent need to rearm following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and an apparent fracturing of relations within NATO mean Europe must become more self-sufficient in its defense production.—
Sam Meredith,Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The county gave Sunshine Gasoline, the current owner of the Chevron gas station and one of Florida’s largest gas companies, about four months to produce an interim report and nine months to do a full investigation from the discovery in early March.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Maybe about a sixth of the current cost.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
About 10 minutes through the frame, the Avs briefly took the lead when Ross Colton batted a rebound out of the air and into the net off a deflection from the weak side.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The Bruins tied the score early in the third period and pushed for about the next 10 minutes, but the Flyers, buoyed by 18 saves from Dan Vladar, maintained their composure and eventually pushed back.—
Kevin Kurz,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
However, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools said in a statement Thursday that the ruling has no immediate impact on its operations.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
-
But challenges remain, especially the immediate task of turning this ambitious vision into reality with the world economy upended by the energy shock from the war in Iran.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Jackson died from acute propofol intoxication in 2009 having been accused of improper relationships with three boys.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The route adds 10 days and increases costs by about 25%, at a time when over 19 million Sudanese face acute food insecurity.—
SAM MEDNICK,
Arkansas Online,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Sacramento Regional Transit ambassadors — charged with keeping peace and taking fares on the light rail — are not present for every train ride.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
New Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley revealed Tuesday afternoon, after taking players through meetings in the morning, Achane was not present.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The head coach of Michigan men’s basketball finally broke into a wide smile during the final seconds, holding a lone finger in the air at the end.—
Justin Williams,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Decatur was down 2 points and Style, who battled turnover trouble earlier in the game, was set to inbound with seconds remaining.—
Charles Baggarly
April 7,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instant. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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