instant 1 of 2

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
3

instant

2 of 2

noun

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 instant
Adjective
His 1900 book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, was an instant sensation that was made into theatrical productions and films, and later inspired songs by Elton John, America, ELO and even the Melvins. Joe Lynch, Billboard, 22 Jan. 2025 The company's tap-to-pay app will soon support a Buy Now, Pay Later system, allowing customers to create instant installment plans even when shopping offline. Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
Each bowl comes with Tupperware’s signature instant seal lid (complete with the iconic starburst design) to keep your food as fresh as possible for as long as possible. Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 29 Jan. 2025 Winners have 90 days to claim prizes on instant games and are encouraged to sign the back of their ticket, the Georgia Lottery said. Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for instant 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instant
Adjective
  • The date mechanism is particularly noteworthy for its instantaneous jump at midnight.
    Bhanu Chopra, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The permit allowed for 406 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters or less as the instantaneous maximum.
    Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • For example, any urgent messages regarding H5N1 bird flu, which is spreading to people in the U.S., would be delayed.
    Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Jan. 2025
  • More than 90% of Gazans are homeless, according to the U.N., and there is an urgent need for tents and other shelters.
    Ghada Abdulfattah, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Riley worked closely with Dave Emerick, USC’s current general manager, on all personnel matters.
    Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025
  • The news could spell trouble for the current US export controls that focus on creating computing resource bottlenecks.
    Zeyi Yang, WIRED, 25 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • This one came in at three days, 21 hours, 41 minutes.
    Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2025
  • The gains may also be greater in tasks that are measured in hours rather than seconds or minutes. DLSS, FSR, and XeSS Benchmarks The image quality and performance characteristics of DLSS, FSR, and XeSS aren’t quite the same.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • There was no immediate word on casualties or the cause of the collision.
    Greg Wehner, Fox News, 30 Jan. 2025
  • There was no immediate word on the cause of the collision, but all takeoffs and landings from the airport were halted as dive teams scoured the site and helicopters from law enforcement agencies across the region flew over the scene in a methodical search for bodies.
    LOLITA C. BALDOR, TIME, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Hot flashes are sudden and intense feelings of heat - heat that is especially acute over the neck, chest, and face, explains Dr. Ruta Nonacs, a perinatal and reproductive psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital and an instructor at Harvard Medical School.
    Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The problem is so acute that Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, recently appointed a housing czar to spur a search for solutions in Europe.
    Liz Alderman, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Being present emotionally means showing up without distractions and offering your undivided attention even during mundane moments.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2025
  • On this one, by virtue of the fact that its budget was a lot smaller and Steven was paying for it himself, there were whole levels of approval that just weren’t present.
    J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 25 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Bilodeau re-entered the game a few minutes later but was removed after only 35 seconds, never to return.
    Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Ryan Tattle scored his second goal, tipping it in with one-half of a second to go, lifting the Huskies to a 2-1 victory over Quinnipiac in the first game of the CT Ice festival at Sacred Heart.
    Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 25 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near instant

Cite this Entry

“Instant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instant. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on instant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!