as in immediate
done or occurring without any noticeable lapse in time
the thunder following the flash of lightning was nearly instantaneous
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Recent Examples of instantaneous
Musicians broadly have faced mechanical and digital competition for well over a century, first from the phonograph, then the radio, and later the instantaneous on-demand technologies that emerged with the internet and Spotify.
—
Adam Ozimek, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
Jacquemus + Nike After instantaneous success in September 2025 with the Moon Shoe’s first relaunch, Jacquemus + Nike is back for round two with a campaign fronted by Solange.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
Transcription services have already made a formerly tedious process instantaneous, allowing reporters to process more information and get stories out quicker.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 4 Mar. 2026
France tapped his helmet, indicating a challenge, and a near-instantaneous replay on the video board showed the ball passed 1/10th of an inch outside the strike zone.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instantaneous
Adam Ozimek, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
Jacquemus + Nike After instantaneous success in September 2025 with the Moon Shoe’s first relaunch, Jacquemus + Nike is back for round two with a campaign fronted by Solange.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026
Transcription services have already made a formerly tedious process instantaneous, allowing reporters to process more information and get stories out quicker.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 4 Mar. 2026
France tapped his helmet, indicating a challenge, and a near-instantaneous replay on the video board showed the ball passed 1/10th of an inch outside the strike zone.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instantaneous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instantaneous
Adjective
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Smoke from the Jumping Branch fire has spread for miles, prompting warnings for drivers to avoid parts of NC 80, as well as a Temporary Flight Restriction in the immediate area, McDowell County 911 reports.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
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Matches without goals triggered texts to Garden requesting immediate Wyscout Zoom sessions.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The touching moment was shared on the TikTok account @rosiethestaffygirl, capturing the instant Rosie—a Staffordshire bull terrier rescue—worked up the nerve to confront something that had clearly been troubling her.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
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The prompt produces instant beverage suggestions available at shops nearby.—
John Ruwitch,
NPR,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instantaneous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instantaneous. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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