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
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Recent Examples of split-second
Greg Echlin, NPR, 4 Feb. 2026
While official accounts and bystander videos of the Saturday shooting at 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue offer conflicting narratives about the split-second escalation, the outcome highlights the extreme physical risk of inserting oneself into the immediate perimeter of armed agents.
—Christina Buttons, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
For a split second, my hearing went numb.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for split-second
Adjective
That split-second moment that lives on forever.
—Greg Echlin, NPR, 4 Feb. 2026
While official accounts and bystander videos of the Saturday shooting at 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue offer conflicting narratives about the split-second escalation, the outcome highlights the extreme physical risk of inserting oneself into the immediate perimeter of armed agents.
—Christina Buttons, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
That kid gets one shot to make that play and make a split second decision against some of the best athletes in the world.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
For a split second, my hearing went numb.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for split-second
Recent Examples of Synonyms for split-second
Adjective
-
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
Noun
-
Kenyan Priscah Cherono took the lead immediately in the women’s race and was already two minutes ahead of the chase pack by the ninth mile.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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Alternatively, fly into Johannesburg and connect to Polokwane, where the lodge arranges a 90-minute road transfer.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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When a fire alarm fails, a sprinkler system shuts down, or a fire marshal issues a violation notice, businesses often face immediate safety and compliance concerns.—
Matthew Kayser,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The response in her comments was immediate and effusive.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Wildcats began applying more defensive pressure in the second quarter, forcing two turnovers against UConn through the first 90 seconds after the Huskies gave up two in the entire opening quarter.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2026
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Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 35 points on 13-of-17 shooting, 12 rebounds and seven assists before fouling out in the final seconds.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Add instant warmth with Buffy’s Cloud Comforter, an Internet-famous bestseller for good reason.—
Shoko Wanger,
Architectural Digest,
9 Mar. 2026
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In other words, caffeine provides an instant wake-up call, while the supporting players address longer-term concerns like discoloration, fine lines, and mild hollowness.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That’s Coogler’s challenge too, and this is his moment to encourage the industry to get back to making ambitious populist hits.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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For fashion, the Fall/Winter 2026 season arrived at a moment of heightened uncertainty, as wholesale continues its rocky reset and geopolitical uncertainty remains high.—
Madeleine Schulz,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The lobby, with its bar, vintage photo booth, and live event space, acts as the hotel’s social heartbeat with loads of good company.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Mar. 2026
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The potential serious risks of NAD+ injections include infections at the injection site, nerve damage, and unpredictable side effects such as nausea, rapid heartbeat, chills and vomiting, federal regulators say.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Split-second.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/split-second. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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