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
ABC News, 4 May 2026
Price can also bring instant offense and produce big plays without needing time to get warmed up.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 4 May 2026
Joshua Goodman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Stir in the snap peas, then cover and simmer until the internal temperature registers 165 degrees on an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of each chicken cutlet and the snap peas are crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instant
Adjective
Two teams which produced a 5-4 instant classic last week will take center stage on Wednesday for the second act of their Champions League semifinal.
—ABC News, 4 May 2026
Price can also bring instant offense and produce big plays without needing time to get warmed up.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 4 May 2026
Noun
Calling his father and uncle gusanos — or worms, a Spanish-language term coined by Castro to denigrate those fleeing the island — the agent seized the bank and in an instant dispossessed a family that arrived from Spain in the 16th century.
—Joshua Goodman, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Stir in the snap peas, then cover and simmer until the internal temperature registers 165 degrees on an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of each chicken cutlet and the snap peas are crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instant
Adjective
-
On an induction stove, the process is instantaneous.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
4 May 2026
-
And the effects are instantaneous.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This intent aligned with the nation’s urgent emphasis on education as a defense against mob rule.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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Yet instead of addressing those urgent challenges, state leaders have chosen to spend time and taxpayer dollars engineering political advantage.—
Jon Harris Maurer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago’s past.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Today, Sodebo’s current time is almost half that, yet there is more to be shaved off the record, which might even come down to as little as 30 days.—
Andrew Rice,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
In preparation for the Alaskan wilderness, the Hoffmans and their crew shop for bear guns, bid their wives farewell, and are prayed over by a local pastor (who decides, at the last minute, to join them).—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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With the game tied 1-1 heading into the final nine minutes, Vasilevskiy fought off Lane Hutson’s wrister from the top of the left circle with his blocker, sending the puck high in the air and hard off the end boards.—
Eduardo A. Encina,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
The race came amid a broader power struggle between the two sides of City Hall early in both Mamdani and Menin’s leadership, but the election will also have a more immediate impact.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
No immediate impact likely for world oil markets The UAE’s withdrawal from OPEC won’t necessarily have any immediate effects in markets.—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
After the primary autopsy, the coroner concluded Jackson's death was from acute Propofol intoxication, which caused the singer to go into cardiac arrest, NPR reported.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Almost half are personally afraid of losing their job to AI, ranking it among the most acute individual stressors measured in the survey.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
With a razor-thin majority, the Speaker can afford to lose only two GOP votes on any party-line bill, assuming that all members are present and Democrats are united in opposition.—
Mike Lillis,
The Hill,
28 Apr. 2026
-
According to Staveley, the family ranch now serves as an anchor project for Land and Carbon’s work, creating a direct link between past generations and the organization’s present efforts.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Within seconds of the Yankees recording the final out of Monday’s 12-1 win over the Orioles, John Sterling’s signature victory call bellowed from Yankee Stadium’s speakers.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
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With an inventory of over 3 million hotels in over 200 countries, Travelocity can help narrow down the best possible accommodations for you within seconds.—
Paris Wilson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instant. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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