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
Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2026
Gopuff invented instant commerce.
—Dave Knox, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 9 June 2026
Ross, the microphone still in her right hand, stands there for just an instant, frozen in time.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for instant
Adjective
Viewing Prep Work as Optional Paint might seem like an instant upgrade, but skipping prep work is a shortcut to disaster.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2026
Gopuff invented instant commerce.
—Dave Knox, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Noun
Simply tuck them into your favorite planter or window box for an instant burst of color.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 9 June 2026
Ross, the microphone still in her right hand, stands there for just an instant, frozen in time.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for instant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instant
Adjective
-
With the craft's communications failing within the first two hours, the submersible imploded upon descent, resulting in their instantaneous deaths.—
Dan Snierson,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
-
Speaking of which, when news broke Friday that much of the team’s equipment had been stolen, there was a nearly instantaneous social media ridiculing of the city.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
The cultural conversation happening here is nuanced and urgent and almost entirely invisible to the average visitor.—
Baz Dreisinger,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
-
The result is documentary filmmaking at its most urgent and compassionate.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
21 June 2026
Adjective
-
Under the current law, judges must presume mental illness was a factor if a defendant with a legitimate diagnosis seeks diversion.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
-
The Islamic Republic of Iran will maintain the current status quo of its nuclear program, and the United States of America will not impose any new sanctions and will not deploy additional forces in the region.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
The vehicle was first detected traveling through Washington Heights, then flagged a second time about 10 minutes later crossing the University Heights Bridge.—
Jenna DeAngelis,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
-
Iran appeared to score in the 26th minute off a free kick, only for the goal to be disallowed after a video review determined scorer Mehdi Taremi was offside.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
22 June 2026
Adjective
-
Whoever wins the nomination will face an immediate campaign finance gap and depend heavily on national GOP resources.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
-
The researchers’ examples of those immediate desires include activities such as smoking, overeating, and going to the movies instead of completing a report for work.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
Emilia had cancer — B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.—
Kate Bilo,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
-
As her life is starting, her mother suffers from an acute schizophrenic episode.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
Authorities added that adult family members were present at the home when the shooting happened.—
Michael Guise,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
-
Carlyle at present owns the majority of Content Partners, although the founders also retain significant shares.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
After Iran played to a draw Sunday at SoFi Stadium, its second of the World Cup in as many matches, the team’s coach began his postmatch assessment by backing up six months.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
22 June 2026
-
Digital computers force all information processing into discrete, high-precision, clocked steps, with billions or trillions of bits flipped every second.—
Rob Toews,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instant. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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