instant 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of instantnext
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

instant

2 of 2

noun

ˈin(t)-stənt How to pronounce instant (audio)
as in minute
a very small space of time it all happened in an instant

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 instant
Adjective
Argentina have demonstrated a flair for the dramatic, eking out instant-classic victories over Cape Verde, Egypt and, most recently, England. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 17 July 2026 It’s activated by sweat, wicking moisture from the body for an instant cooldown that feels like a breath of fresh air on the hottest days. — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
Noun
My audience would laugh one instant, and then with the alchemical dark arts of my verbal prowess, they’d be volta’d into grief and ennui with breakneck speed. — Literary Hub, 6 July 2026 For an instant, Davidovich Fokina thought about getting up, but instead sat on his backside, seemingly resigned to defeat. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for instant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instant
  1. instantaneous
  2. urgent
  3. current
  4. minute
  5. immediate
  6. acute
  7. present
  8. second
Adjective
  • The most common type is lethal in about half of patients, and death is almost instantaneous.
    — Veronique Greenwood, Time, 13 July 2026
  • When machines need to communicate with each other at near instantaneous speeds, the network becomes the make-or-break factor.
    — Ivo Ivanov, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of instantaneous
Adjective
  • The most urgent example today is Backrooms director Kane Parsons, whose $10 million film stands a A24’s top-grossing movie ever with $374 million globally.
    — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2026
  • While this has always been the case, the AI boom and geopolitical tensions have made balancing these two ideologies an urgent matter, Persson suggested.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 16 July 2026
Definition of urgent
Adjective
  • The current trophy, officially named the FIFA World Cup Trophy, has been used since 1974, when West Germany were the first recipients.
    — Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • The defense plan calling for a 15 billion pound ($20 billion) spending boost is much smaller than military leaders had sought and has been criticized for not being fully funded under the current budget.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
Definition of current
Noun
  • Croix Bethune scored a one-touch equalizer in the 52nd minute and Temwa Chawinga put the hosts ahead of the San Diego Wave with a strike in the 61st.
    — The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2026
  • This wasn’t just a case of a team scoring a last-minute winner, though.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 18 July 2026
Definition of minute
Adjective
  • Unlike wealthy nations with the reserves and infrastructure to buffer the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, import-dependent economies are more vulnerable to immediate, cascading supply chain shocks.
    — Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • In addition to the immediate danger of fire and the loss of key summer revenue, northern Minnesotans (and much of the country) is facing unhealthy to hazardous air quality conditions.
    — Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 16 July 2026
Definition of immediate
Adjective
  • Monumental’s entry is targeted at Texas, Florida, Virginia, and Arizona, where building activity and labor shortages are most acute.
    — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 15 July 2026
  • According to the report, Garrett’s cause of death is listed as acute fentanyl toxicity, with the manner of death ruled an accident.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 13 July 2026
Definition of acute
Adjective
  • The best predictor of how many ticks are likely to be around each year is how many white-footed mice were present the previous summer, Ostfeld told CNN.
    — Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
  • In fact, he could be credited for influencing the current streamlined, top-handle bag trend, the east-west—designed with the same tuck-under-your-arm spirit as the Le Teckel – which was present across the recent runway shows.
    — Alice Cary, Vogue, 13 July 2026
Definition of present
Noun
  • As the final seconds ticked down on Spain’s 1-0 extra-time win over a valiant Argentina and the referee blew his whistle, one could be forgiven for their mind once again slipping to memories of La Roja’s maiden World Cup victory.
    — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • Gold is in his 13th year with the Cardinals and in his second as director of college scouting.
    — Doug Haller, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of second

Browse Nearby Words

instancy
instant
instantaneous
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Cite this Entry

“Instant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instant. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of instant for Spanish Speakers

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