instant 1 of 2

1
as in instantaneous
done or occurring without any noticeable lapse in time an instant response to the cry for help

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3

instant

2 of 2

noun

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
Customers and potential customers have instant access to research and information. Nohar Zmora, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 Rain or shine, just throw on a swing coat and lug-sole boots for instant sartorial success. Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
The show, which aired on USA Network for 10 seasons, was an instant hit and cemented the Chrisleys as reality television stars. Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025 Everything good that happened during the Angels’ 3-0 victory over the Houston Astros on Sunday seemed much less significant in an instant. Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for instant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instant
Adjective
  • Neural coding will make that path instantaneous.
    Somdip Dey, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
  • The position, size and type of injury hinted at a small but fast-moving object; a larger object would have caused more serious damage, and death probably would have been instantaneous, the study authors reported.
    Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • TeamSmile also launched a new pilot program to deliver essential dental care for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), highlighting the urgent need for accessible treatment for these kids.
    Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
  • This means distinguishing between urgent and important tasks, eliminating unnecessary metrics and communications, clarifying policies, and setting clear expectations.
    Kotter, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • His current district, spanning the northeastern Sacramento suburbs and Lake Tahoe, runs hundreds of miles south to Death Valley.
    David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Emery is more articulate than many, and debating the fairness of the current system is a worthy endeavour, but even that snippet was rooted in a generous interpretation of ‘good management’.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Mitchell had left her daughter in Thomas' care for 45 minutes, according to a criminal complaint cited by The Times and PIX11.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The only exception was the 2019 AFCON quarter-final, when Troost-Ekong struck an 89th-minute winner for the Super Eagles.
    Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • But prorating three years of player profits down to 12 months, as UEFA’s rule does, reduces the immediate efficacy of successful trading in the market, the very strategy that poorer clubs increasingly rely on to climb the ladder.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Steven Pruett is the president and CEO of Elevation Resources, a Permian Basin oil company, and the immediate past chair of the Independent Petroleum Association of America, one of the industry’s main trade groups.
    ProPublica, ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Some people with antiphospholipid syndrome—a condition associated with the formation of blood clots—can experience chorea (involuntary muscle movements) or acute changes in cognition (one of my patients was diagnosed after becoming markedly confused).
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The first stage, the acute phase, happens shortly after the infection, and the second stage, the chronic phase, occurs over a longer period of time.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Investigators also shared that Jones’ 4-year-old son was among the children present on the night of the shooting.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Jacek Najder, Poland's representative to NATO, was also present, the country's Foreign Ministry said.
    Will Gretsky, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Extend it to four seconds to ensure safe spacing in adverse conditions.
    Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Three weeks later in London, the same service required a bank transfer – no cash accepted, no cards processed, just account details exchanged securely and payment completed in seconds.
    Penny Lee, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Instant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instant. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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