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
Amanda Champagne-Meadows, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2026
The bottom line is that instant grades on drafts is folly.
—Greg Cote
april 26, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 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
The second season was an instant hit, immediately taking the Netflix #1 spot.
—Amanda Champagne-Meadows, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2026
The bottom line is that instant grades on drafts is folly.
—Greg Cote
april 26, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 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
-
Loading media is virtually instantaneous on the Fire TV Stick HD.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
29 Apr. 2026
-
During back flushes, the valve is never opened more than halfway; this allows for an instantaneous flow rate of no more than 27 gpm.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The situation sparked immediate on-the-ground reporting from journalists across the media spectrum who took to social media platforms to deliver urgent reports.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan said people have reported to them and the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center that they've been denied urgent and routine medical care over the past 10 months.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Wagner already missed 48 games during the regular season while working his way back from injury, and the caution surrounding his current calf strain is understandable given the risk associated with rushing that type of issue.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
All of it is encrypted, and some of it could be stored by actors anticipating that current encryption methods may become less effective over time.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Without him, Heiskanen and Harley had to log even heavier minutes in an already long and grueling game.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Catastrophic wildfires are not new for Chile, but this year’s stand out for how fast the flames spread, devouring an average of nearly 25 acres every minute.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 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
-
Kapanen silenced the raucous sellout crowd at Honda Center 38 seconds after the opening faceoff with his fourth goal in four games.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The molecule is activated with hydrogen peroxide, and the micromotors move the particle at 7 micrometers per second.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instant. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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