1
as in instantaneous
done or occurring without any noticeable lapse in time
an instant response to the cry for help
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in urgent
needing immediate attention
an instant need for food supplies in the famine-stricken country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in current
existing or in progress right now
we should be more concerned with instant dangers than with those in the far-off future
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in minute
a very small space of time
it all happened in an instant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 instant
Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Dec. 2024
One reader even recommended making it with butterscotch instant pudding mix.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 28 Dec. 2024
Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
In an instant, even a search for the world’s most obscure watch is likely to turn up a dozen hits with sellers across the world.
—Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for instant 
Adjective
Both titles opened last weekend, with Sonic 3 becoming an instant crowd-pleaser and handily beating Mufasa.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Dec. 2024
One reader even recommended making it with butterscotch instant pudding mix.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 28 Dec. 2024
Noun
The song was an instant hit, remains an international multimillion seller and was a 2002 Grammy Hall of Fame inductee.
—Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
In an instant, even a search for the world’s most obscure watch is likely to turn up a dozen hits with sellers across the world.
—Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for instant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instant
Adjective
-
On an induction stove, the process is instantaneous.Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2024
-
But with stablecoins, transactions can cost less than a penny and are virtually instantaneous.MacKenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Governor Pedro Pierluisi called for urgent solutions from LUMA Energy and Genera PR, a private company that manages the grid.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
-
The onset of Climate change underscores the urgent need to address these reductions and is critical to ensure that vegetables continue to provide the necessary nutrients for a healthy diet in the face of rising CO2 levels.Dianne Plummer, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The 165,000-square foot building in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., will help the organization expand its digital footprint, launch new international feeds, and—maybe most importantly to the sport’s leaders—set golf up to leverage distribution possibilities once its current media deals expire after 2030.Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 1 Jan. 2025
-
Illinois tightened its labor laws in an update to its current law from the 1930s.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Each video generation took about seven to nine minutes to complete.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 19 Dec. 2024
-
This needs to take under 5 minutes but leave everyone feeling motivated.Jodie Cook, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The was no immediate response from the Chinese foreign ministry outside of business hours on Thursday.Reuters, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
-
Cons: Longer timeline, risk of fragmented, inconsistent systems, limited immediate impact.Siddharth Gawshinde, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Despite his success, the demands of Avicii’s career took a toll on his well-being: The hitmaker had a series of health problems over the years, including a bout with acute pancreatitis and surgery to have his gallbladder and appendix removed.Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 31 Dec. 2024
-
Patients had acute respiratory infections — think COVID, flu or rhinoviruses — complicated by malaria as well as widespread malnutrition.Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
From January 1, California residents will no longer be allowed to park a vehicle within 20 feet of any unmarked or marked crosswalk or 15 feet of any crosswalk where a curb extension is present.Paul du Quenoy, Newsweek, 1 Jan. 2025
-
This allows the player to join the interested club when their present deal runs out without sign-off from his existing employers.Elias Burke, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The second would come later in the year and center on extending Trump-era tax cuts that are set to expire after this year.Ramsey Touchberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Jan. 2025
-
Never think for a second that anything like New Year’s Eve could get in the way of some old-fashioned Hollywood legal fireworks.Dominic Patten, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near instant
Cite this Entry
“Instant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instant. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share