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
Offers three-credit-bureau monitoring, VPN, dark web monitoring, password manager, email aliases and instant credit lock. — Brian Sloan, CNBC, 3 July 2026 In a world of constant visibility and instant judgment, the cost of failure can feel higher than ever— the instinct is to avoid risk, protect what exists, and wait for certainty that never arrives. — Keith Krach, Fortune, 3 July 2026
Noun
For an even more precise read on the internal temperature of your coolers, Just suggests investing in an instant-read thermometer. — Alyssa Modos, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026 For example, Mastercard Move enables bank customers to send funds to more than 100 countries and currencies, with nearly 50 offering instant, 24/7 delivery. — Gary Palmer, Forbes.com, 2 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 rise of Nashville Severe Weather is a modern case study in multiple areas — a shifting tornado alley, a changing climate, the prevalence of social media and the value of instantaneous, hyperlocal information that can save the day or save lives.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 July 2026
  • Customer support needs to be quick, easy and engaging, but email and phone support aren’t always instantaneous.
    — Anthony Savino, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of instantaneous
Adjective
  • She can now only be reached through a regular phone line — a more costly option in a country where people rely heavily on WhatsApp for calls, messages, photos and urgent coordination.
    — Fatima Faizi, NPR, 10 July 2026
  • Season 3 begins with Captain Garnet (Christie Burke) splitting her crew to answer that urgent distress call, leaving the remaining members behind to defend Homebase 1 from the new planet's unknown secrets.
    — Paul Brett, Space.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of urgent
Adjective
  • The last, loudest horn would emit a sound similar to, if not more fierce than, the current average car horn sound.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 12 July 2026
  • That said, the case total so far is four times higher than at the same point last year, according to current CDC national data, which lag dramatically from what’s being reported by the states.
    — Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
Definition of current
Noun
  • But those plans were derailed on Thursday when Egyptian authorities blocked the ship, the Scarlet Lady, from entering its waters at the last minute, according to Atlantis Events, days after the vessel was refused entry to Turkey.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Veteran forward Emma Cannon played 12 minutes and scored nine points as a key post presence late when Cardoso was in foul trouble.
    — Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of minute
Adjective
  • There was no immediate word of damage in Qatar, while Jordanian government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani said all incoming fire from Iran had been intercepted.
    — Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • There was no immediate response to the Iranian accusations from the Pentagon.
    — Courtney Kube, NBC news, 9 July 2026
Definition of immediate
Adjective
  • Reduction In High-Cost, Acute Utilization When therapy is ineffective or inaccessible, families often turn to more acute and costly services, like emergency departments, inpatient behavioral health settings or crisis interventions.
    — Jeff Beck, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • Maxton Bowman, 2, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia after months of unexplained symptoms.
    — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
Definition of acute
Adjective
  • But like every rookie, even an elderly 23-year-old like Lendeborg, inconsistency was still present.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
  • Despite the intense scrutiny, Ryan is performing and, more importantly, staying present with the upstart Twins.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of present
Noun
  • First-round pick Cameron Carr only played in the first half Monday, finishing with five points, one rebound, one assist, one steal, one block and three fouls in 12 minutes and 49 seconds.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Within seconds of arriving, we were checked in, and our luggage was tagged and whisked away, giving us ample time to use the bathroom and enjoy a cup of coffee in the lounge.
    — Annie Archer, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026
Definition of second

Browse Nearby Words

instancy
instant
instantaneous
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Instant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instant. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on instant

Nglish: Translation of instant for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All