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
Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 26 Jan. 2026
This should unlock instant value for the Club stock.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2026
R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Lives can be lost in an instant.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instant
Adjective
Wolves players desperately wanted to be that distraction, that source of rallying and joy in the instant wake of tragedy.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 26 Jan. 2026
This should unlock instant value for the Club stock.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
These cues allow for near-instant handoffs from speaker to speaker—clocked at from 200-500 milliseconds, said MacLeitch in an email response to questions.
—R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Lives can be lost in an instant.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instant
Adjective
-
In fact, Legend’s virtually instantaneous success on the main roster has earned the former WNBA star high praise from WWE officials, so much so that she’s expected to get a massive push in 2026.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
This cycle elapses across thousands of years—glacially slow to us but almost instantaneous on cosmic scales.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
And there is another urgent area requiring our attention.—
Sacramento Bee staff,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The administration’s enthusiasm to improve America’s health has real, urgent promise.—
Jerome Adams,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Our current estimate for IBM is $294.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Their position ignored the Ukrainian perspective on the issue, thus excluding Ukrainians as the affected party from understanding and communicating current and historical narratives.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
If dealing with persistent scum, create a paste using vinegar and baking soda, apply it, and leave it for 20 minutes before wiping it clean.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Minnesota’s zone defense stymied the Badgers at the end of the half, with nine straight stops including five turnovers and zero points over the final five minutes for a 35-28 lead.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Japanese bonds gained after a 40-year auction drew the strongest demand since March, easing immediate worries about long-term debt.—
Mia Glass,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The league is working with lawmakers in Texas, and are holding a rally in San Antonio to ask for the immediate release of Liam Ramos and his father.—
Reg Chapman,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The 48-bed hospital in Brea and 109-bed hospital in Westminster treat patients for longer stays, typically after they are discharged from acute-care hospitals.—
Pat Maio,
Oc Register,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Hal, in his academic brilliance, tennis talent, and acute anxiety, is the character who most resembles his creator.—
Hermione Hoby,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The home where baby Ana Maria died was recently torn down, and Adams was present.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The result in practice tends to be gratuitous spending for minimal present gains.—
James Broughel,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Los Angeles moved in front with a 25-6 run that started late in the first quarter and carried over to the second.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Getting five points in the final 128 seconds from a freshman backup who was thrust into a starting role, Aliso Niguel maintained a chokehold on the league title race with a 61-60 victory at Beckman on Monday.—
Martin Henderson,
Oc Register,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instant. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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