split-second 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsplit-ˈse-kənd How to pronounce split-second (audio)
Definition of split-secondnext
as in instantaneous
done or occurring without any noticeable lapse in time a day trader who is used to making split-second decisions

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

split second

2 of 2

noun

as in minute
a very small space of time a devastating accident can cause everything in your life to change in a split second

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of split-second
Adjective
Tommy DeVito’s back-shoulder throw arrived a split-second later. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 30 July 2026 If the business genuinely needs split-second freshness on individual records and heavy analytics, forcing both onto one platform can compromise performance and inflate costs—two specialized systems may be cheaper long term. — Kevin Mathrani, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Noun
Rispoli seemed not totally aware of what happened in the split seconds before the start of the San Diego Handicap. — Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026 But the real challenge – and the reason no bird-scale robot has managed this leap before – is the split second in between, when the robot has to shove itself out of the water with nothing but its wings. — New Atlas, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for split-second
Recent Examples of Synonyms for split-second
  1. instantaneous
  2. minute
  3. immediate
  4. second
  5. instant
  6. moment
  7. heartbeat
Adjective
  • But his son went to meet Kaya, and the connection was almost instantaneous.
    — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026
  • And all have been just as vulnerable to the near-instantaneous bootlegging.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of instantaneous
Noun
  • The layered structure disappeared completely after 50 minutes.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Turn and continue cooking, turning every 2 minutes or so, until pork chops are deeply browned on both sides, 10–12 minutes (an instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should register 145°).
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of minute
Adjective
  • His best explanations for this are pressure from shareholders to prioritize immediate returns over long-term investments, and years of obsession with digital that came at the expense of physical retail.
    — Hilary Milnes, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
  • These models predict what the fuel will do in the immediate future.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of immediate
Noun
  • Ole Miss moves into the top 10 for its last-second win against another top-25 opponent in Louisville.
    — Chris Vannini, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Senior receiver Mikey Matthews made a significant contribution, catching four passes for 88 yards, including a deep ball with 13 seconds left at the end of the first half that allowed UCLA to kick a field goal and take a seven-point lead.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of second
Adjective
  • The real impact comes from pairing real-time money movement with instant reconciliation.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In another study, mixing in lentils with rice or instant potatoes resulted in lower blood sugar than eating the rice or potatoes alone.
    — Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of instant
Noun
  • Gizelle, who has been stirring the pot and playing producer for everyone on the trip, keeps up her conniving ways by sitting down all the RHOP ladies except for Candiace during their Potomac retrospective moment at the party.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
  • That’s a margin-for-error lesson, a moment that may continue to burn for a while.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of moment
Noun
  • The baby was born with a heartbeat but was not breathing, the couple told the Atlantic, and did not survive.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Davis, his wife and kids painted the picture of a family that had deep, meaningful connections to the heartbeat of this burgeoning southern metropolis in NASCAR country that, like so many cities, places its sports stars on a pedestal.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of heartbeat

Browse Nearby Words

splits
split-second
split second
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Cite this Entry

“Split-second.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/split-second. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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