as in minutes
a very small space of time
I'll be ready in a second
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in discards
something separated from a group or lot for not being as good as the others
the slightly flawed linens were sold as seconds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of seconds
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Minnesota guard Cade Tyson hit a game-tying 3-pointer with five seconds left, but Wisconsin counterpart John Blackwell sank a game-winning trey at the buzzer for a 78-75 win at Williams Arena.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2026
Just 37 seconds after going down three scores, Zach Reget finished his third hat trick of the season to get the Comets within two.
—Nathan Dunn, Kansas City Star, 13 Jan. 2026
Guentzel had an Erik Cernak shot carom off his pants past Flyers goalie Dan Vladar 33 seconds into the second.
—CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
The driver was shot and wounded, and the passenger was injured when the van crashed seconds later, according to the original statement from DHS.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 13 Jan. 2026
Down four points with 70 seconds to play, and facing fourth-and-1 on Jacksonville’s 11-yard line, Buffalo called for a Josh Allen quarterback sneak, the claw-and-maul play commonly known as the tush push.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
The under-16 media timeout was seconds away, and his usual preference is to save them, letting his team sort through problems on its own early in games.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Harding missed another free throw, which gave Kansas a chance to tie it, but White missed the 3-pointer with 13 seconds remaining.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
His turnaround 14-footer with 39 seconds left gave them the lead for good Tuesday, and Gordon put the finishing touches on a 122-116 win over the Pelicans by getting a stop against Trey Murphy III and cutting for a dunk at the other end.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Minnesota guard Cade Tyson hit a game-tying 3-pointer with five seconds left, but Wisconsin counterpart John Blackwell sank a game-winning trey at the buzzer for a 78-75 win at Williams Arena.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2026
Just 37 seconds after going down three scores, Zach Reget finished his third hat trick of the season to get the Comets within two.
—Nathan Dunn, Kansas City Star, 13 Jan. 2026
Guentzel had an Erik Cernak shot carom off his pants past Flyers goalie Dan Vladar 33 seconds into the second.
—CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026
The driver was shot and wounded, and the passenger was injured when the van crashed seconds later, according to the original statement from DHS.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 13 Jan. 2026
Down four points with 70 seconds to play, and facing fourth-and-1 on Jacksonville’s 11-yard line, Buffalo called for a Josh Allen quarterback sneak, the claw-and-maul play commonly known as the tush push.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
The under-16 media timeout was seconds away, and his usual preference is to save them, letting his team sort through problems on its own early in games.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Harding missed another free throw, which gave Kansas a chance to tie it, but White missed the 3-pointer with 13 seconds remaining.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seconds
Verb
-
Sometimes the Fire and Rescue Department assists a farmer/fellow firefighter rescue a cow that had fallen through the ice.—
Jack Perry,
The Providence Journal,
5 Jan. 2026
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This role assists with event and daily parking logistics, coordinates staffing, monitors traffic flow, and helps maintain vendor relationships and customer service standards.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Soft-close cabinetry is another staple of 2026 kitchen design, according to the report, a trait that not only aids durability but also prevents jarring noises.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
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Leaving branches in place until the tree is established yields better foliage growth that aids root establishment in the first year after transplanting.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The fur lining helps block out the snow and the overall structure has a lightweight feel.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
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The show helps young viewers learn social skills like sharing, apologizing, and managing big feelings.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Seconds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seconds. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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