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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instant
Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 8 Feb. 2026
This Pepsi ad featuring Cindy Crawford stepping out of a red Lamborghini in a white swimsuit was an instant classic.
—Vogue, 8 Feb. 2026
Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
Elle has become a collector of sounds, wandering the city with a pocket recorder in hand, creating what are, in effect, sonic images of instants stretched out into time.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instant
Adjective
That’s what was evident in an instant poll of viewers conducted by the two television stations in San Francisco and Los Angeles that broadcast the live event.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 8 Feb. 2026
This Pepsi ad featuring Cindy Crawford stepping out of a red Lamborghini in a white swimsuit was an instant classic.
—Vogue, 8 Feb. 2026
Noun
Carhartt Knit Cuffed Beanie When spending time outdoors, the weather can change in an instant.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
Elle has become a collector of sounds, wandering the city with a pocket recorder in hand, creating what are, in effect, sonic images of instants stretched out into time.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instant
Adjective
-
Not every match is instantaneous, but countless adopters describe that immediate spark that turns into a lifelong bond.—
Cathy M. Rosenthal,
San Antonio Express-News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The partnership delivered near instantaneous results.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Griffiths and Smith meet on Zoom, spending the first 15 to 20 minutes talking through current challenges, followed by a 30- to 40-minute hypnotherapy session to specifically target her urgent issues.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The family's latest message as the urgent search for Nancy Guthrie enters its eighth day.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
To transmit more power, there are two ways – either a larger hose (thicker cables and higher current) or higher pressure (higher voltage).—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
-
The new store will create 17 additional jobs and will relocate 12 current employees to the new location.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Just a few minutes ago, Juan Pablo Guanipa was kidnapped in the Los Chorros urbanization in Caracas.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The 30-second Super Bowl version manages to capture most of the ridiculousness of the lengthier, two-and-a-half-minute version directed by Spike Jonze, which feels as silly and committed as any of your favorite Stiller comedy moments.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Horizontal and diagonal cracks require immediate attention from a structural engineer.—
Jessica Elliott,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Feeling lightheaded or passing out can signal a very serious pulmonary embolism and requires immediate attention.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The death certificate listed Fisher’s cause of death as septic shock, a bacterial infection, acute kidney failure and pneumonia.—
Theresa Clift,
Sacbee.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Though the consequences of the cold have been widespread and acute—travel disruptions, power outages and scores of deaths—the warm western winter will also take a toll.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Payne intentionally fired four rounds at 25-year-old Kierra Lane, killing her at her Covington home with the pair's children present, prosecutors said at trial.—
Quinlan Bentley,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Rosemary oil—one of the key ingredients in the mask—is like hair-growth gold, but ceramides, jojoba, and keratin are also present in the strengthening and thickening formula.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The second is a resolution declaring a food apartheid in the City of Milwaukee – this will mirror a similar declaration by Milwaukee County.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Duren then hit Diabate in the face with his open right hand, starting a confrontation that lasted more than 30 seconds and ultimately ended with a brief police presence on the floor.—
Steve Reed,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instant. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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