instantly

1 of 2

adverb

in·stant·ly ˈin(t)-stənt-lē

Synonyms of instantly

: without the least delay : immediately

: with importunity : urgently

instantly

2 of 2

conjunction

: as soon as

… he ran across the grass instantly he perceived his mother …—William Thackeray

Examples of instantly in a Sentence

Adverb His voice is instantly recognizable. They instantly fell in love. She was killed instantly when her car hit a tree. Conjunction we realized there would be problems instantly we saw the final report

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Adverb

Hemlines that sit at the wrong places can instantly throw off an entire look. — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026 The sweet ruffle hem adds a stylish touch, instantly elevating your airport outfit. — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026 To elevate your patio, try the layered outdoor rug trend that instantly adds depth, texture, and contrast. — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 July 2026 Cam flew over the handlebars, striking the pavement hard enough to lose consciousness almost instantly. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for instantly

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English, from instant instant entry 2 + -ly -ly entry 2

Conjunction

derivative of instantly entry 1

First Known Use

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Conjunction

1793, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of instantly was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Instantly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instantly. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

instantly

adverb

in·stant·ly

ˈin(t)-stənt-lē

: without delay : immediately

came instantly when I called

instantly

adverb

conjunction

Synonyms of instantly

Examples of instantly in a Sentence

Word History

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Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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