as in instantaneous
done or occurring without any noticeable lapse in time
a day trader who is used to making split-second decisions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in minute
a very small space of time
a devastating accident can cause everything in your life to change in a split second
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of split-second
Austen Erblat, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Anyone familiar with racing — or shows like Drive to Survive, where stories pivot on split-second twists of fate — knows how quickly fortunes can crash and burn.
—Sarah Hepola, Dallas Morning News, 31 Jan. 2026
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Feb. 2026
About three seconds after the person has fallen to the ground, a second police vehicle enters the frame at high speed and drives over the person, a split second after they can be seen moving on the ground.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for split-second
Adjective
These situations unfold very quickly, and this individual forced my deputy to make a split-second life-or-death decision.
—Austen Erblat, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
Anyone familiar with racing — or shows like Drive to Survive, where stories pivot on split-second twists of fate — knows how quickly fortunes can crash and burn.
—Sarah Hepola, Dallas Morning News, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
For a split second, my hearing went numb.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Feb. 2026
About three seconds after the person has fallen to the ground, a second police vehicle enters the frame at high speed and drives over the person, a split second after they can be seen moving on the ground.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for split-second
Recent Examples of Synonyms for split-second
Adjective
-
The result for many people in the reviews has been instantaneous, only taking one night to notice the difference.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Criminals would seek payments in Bitcoin in part because the transactions are instantaneous.—
Carlos Garcia,
Fortune,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The company also says the battery can charge in under 10 minutes and last 100,000 cycles.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
-
United kept Chelsea at bay until substitute Kerr scored in the 78th minute, only for United’s Simi Awujo to equalise three minutes later and force extra time.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Such speed-sensitive metamaterials have immediate applications in soft robotics.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Either way, their words likely have value beyond the immediate moment, so listen closely!—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The company shared a glimpse of what’s coming through a 39-second YouTube video, announcing its entry into the physical AI hardware space beyond mobile phones.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Feb. 2026
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The second focuses on inclusion with companies committing to strengthening testing and evaluation of AI systems across underrepresented languages and cultural contexts, especially in the Global South, so that frontier AI models become more reliable and accessible beyond English‑speaking markets.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Long before cell phones, the internet, or instant communications, the storm struck almost without warning and at a disastrous time of day, especially in the Boston and Providence, Rhode Island, metro areas.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Add chickpeas or white beans to salads for instant substance.—
Bridget Shirvell,
Martha Stewart,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Denis Bouanga’s second hat trick in CONCACAF play and Son Heung-min’s four goal contributions (three assists) in his Champions Cup debut were among the many moments that prompted Burbara to view LAFC as if the club arrived from another dimension.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
24 Feb. 2026
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The Blue Owl episode may ultimately serve as a learning moment for the industry, Walters added.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For the better part of the last decade, MV Agusta’s heartbeat has been three cylinders wide.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The heartbeat slowed, proving that the heart rate is chemically governed.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Split-second.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/split-second. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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