instantaneous
adjective
in·stan·ta·neous
ˌin(t)-stən-ˈtā-nē-əs 
-nyəs
1
: done, occurring, or acting without any perceptible duration of time
death was instantaneous
2
: done without any delay being purposely introduced
took instantaneous corrective action
3
: occurring or present at a particular instant
instantaneous velocity
instantaneousness
noun
Examples of instantaneous in a Sentence
We got an almost instantaneous response from the company.
the thunder following the flash of lightning was nearly instantaneous
Recent Examples on the Web
The effect was almost instantaneous, like turning a key in a lock.
—
Sean Williams, Outside, 27 Oct. 2025
Sea-Intelligence modeled the European import surge under different scenarios, ranging from an instantaneous switch back to the Suez by all shipping lines, to a more gradual phase-in over two, four or six weeks.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
In this modern age of technology, complete with instantaneous ways to locate talent anywhere in the world, the Duke men’s basketball coach didn’t mine social media endlessly or scour websites in recruiting the player the Charlotte Hornets selected fourth overall in the NBA Draft in June.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2025
They’re usually found where a lot of power is needed quickly and for a limited time, like as a nearly instantaneous backup electricity for a factory or data center.
—Perri Thaler, IEEE Spectrum, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instantaneous
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Sean Williams, Outside, 27 Oct. 2025
Sea-Intelligence modeled the European import surge under different scenarios, ranging from an instantaneous switch back to the Suez by all shipping lines, to a more gradual phase-in over two, four or six weeks.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
In this modern age of technology, complete with instantaneous ways to locate talent anywhere in the world, the Duke men’s basketball coach didn’t mine social media endlessly or scour websites in recruiting the player the Charlotte Hornets selected fourth overall in the NBA Draft in June.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2025
They’re usually found where a lot of power is needed quickly and for a limited time, like as a nearly instantaneous backup electricity for a factory or data center.
—Perri Thaler, IEEE Spectrum, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instantaneous
Cite this Entry
“Instantaneous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instantaneous. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
instantaneous
adjective
in·stan·ta·neous
ˌin(t)-stən-ˈtā-nē-əs
-nyəs
1
: happening in an instant
2
: done without delay
instantaneously
adverb
instantaneousness
noun
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