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
In a world where an internet search or an AI summary promises an instant answer, there is something seductive about an investigation that requires touching the evidence. — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026 Read More Fujifilm’s stylish Instax Mini Evo is the best instant camera overall. — Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
Once Guadagnino joined the project a year later, everything happened in an instant. — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026 Her debut novel The Mothers was a New York Times bestseller, and her second novel The Vanishing Half was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller. — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 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
  • And in the interior of a cell, decoherence should be basically instantaneous — quantumness shouldn’t survive long enough in such an environment to have any bearing on biology.
    — Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The standard 80% of financial advice—such as whether to invest or pay off debt, how much money to set aside for emergencies or if a purchase will interfere with a savings goal—becomes instantaneous, free and accessible to anybody with a smartphone.
    — Antoine Sallis, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of instantaneous
Adjective
  • Her songs feel urgent and unfiltered; Rodrigo sings about the negative sides of herself, too, whether that’s feelings of jealousy or obsession.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Torres recommends establishing a coverage plan ahead of cold and flu season, so employees know who will take their shift or handle urgent work.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of urgent
Adjective
  • The Social Security Trustees project that the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, which pays retirement and survivor benefits, will deplete its reserves in the fourth quarter of 2032 under current law.
    — Ray R. Harris, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Le and her husband purchased their current location at 903 South Federal Blvd.
    — Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of current
Noun
  • Westport proper is a 10-or-so-minute drive away for shopping and strolling.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Both in jeans and black blazers, Ellison and Kreiz fielded questions from the national press for nearly 30 minutes on the lot’s Stage 3.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of minute
Adjective
  • The immediate focus is on joint development, testing, and demonstration.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Bystander videos and photos posted by on social media showed a man sitting on the ground with his hands behind his back, in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.
    — Philip Marcelo, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of immediate
Adjective
  • In some parts of Africa, the obstacles to foreign investment are more acute.
    — Jared Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2026
  • For instance, a patient might be admitted for diverticulitis (primary diagnosis), but found on post-op labs to have acute blood-loss anemia (secondary diagnosis).
    — Leah Pierson, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of acute
Adjective
  • The coupling of violence with law and order is ever present in the agent’s recollections, but tonally, the show feels light.
    — Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
  • While discussing the characterizations present in the series, Sandler noted that star Noah Reid’s Rapp may be an honest representation of men, if not the most likable.
    — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of present
Noun
  • Minnesota went up 1-0 53 seconds into the game on a Matt Boldy snap shot from the point.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026
  • All of that helps the system decide what deserves another few seconds of your attention.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 10 Oct. 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 Oct. 2026.

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