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
Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2026
Caracilia Striped Button-down Maxi Dress Perfect for a weekend trip to the beach or hanging out at home, this dress channels instant vacation vibes with its beachy faded stripes and slight A-line skirt.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2026
CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
The spot's use of literal crickets works like an audio magnet, drawing attention to itself in an instant.
—Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instant
Adjective
These statement-making lines bring instant energy to a space, whether they’re splashed across walls or woven into textiles.
—Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2026
Caracilia Striped Button-down Maxi Dress Perfect for a weekend trip to the beach or hanging out at home, this dress channels instant vacation vibes with its beachy faded stripes and slight A-line skirt.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
Our lives touched each other for an instant and then separated.
—CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
The spot's use of literal crickets works like an audio magnet, drawing attention to itself in an instant.
—Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instant
Adjective
-
Criminals would seek payments in Bitcoin in part because the transactions are instantaneous.—
Carlos Garcia,
Fortune,
17 Feb. 2026
-
And in an era of viral video and instantaneous judgement, the court of public opinion often convenes long before all the evidence is in.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Two hours later, Ukraine’s urgent plight – the defining security crisis of Europe’s post-WW2 era - was passionately portrayed by President Volodymyr Zelensky, evoking the issue that should have been center stage breaking through the MAGA noise.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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This includes those who have qualified for conditional entry under the asylum and refugee laws or based on urgent humanitarian reasons, such as survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking.—
Isa Almeida,
Oklahoman,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The current Air Force One airplanes entered service in 1990.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The rink disparity’s roots go back to well before the countries’ current allocation of resources.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Less than 20 minutes later, the flames had spread to the nearby wilderness and more units were called in to respond to the growing brush fire on the north side of the highway, county officials said.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
16 Feb. 2026
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The concierge team can assist guests in arranging appointments at Cure Spa (five-minute drive away), as well as personal training sessions, daily gym passes, or group workout classes at Advantage Personal Training (an eight-minute drive away).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The union is seeking an immediate 16% raise for new teachers, an across-the-board 3% raise in the contract’s second year and significant automatic pay hikes tied to years of experience and continued education.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door for families (two adults and immediate children), $13 presale and $15 at the door for teens and adults, $8 presale and $10 at the door for children (ages 7 to 12) and free for children 6 and under.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
According to Murray, the problem is particularly acute in Miami-Dade County.—
Brianna Mantaras,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The need for solutions is acute as costs for families continue to rise.—
Robert Duffy,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Certain rock formations also produce hydrogen gas, but until recently, scientists did not believe economic accumulations of the gas were present at depths that could be extracted.—
Cami Koons,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Ghosts blur the lines between past and present, life and death, destabilizing the order of things.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The robots also mastered high-speed cluster repositioning at speeds of 4 meters per second.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Less remembered is that GCU led by 12 midway through the second half before SDSU rallied and took the lead on Simmons’ tip-in with 58 seconds left.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instant. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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