INSTANCE Synonyms: 110 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'instance' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of instance are case , example , illustration , sample , and specimen . While all these words mean "something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category," instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain. // an instance of history repeating itself

Q: When could 'case' be used to replace 'instance'?

Although the words case and instance have much in common, case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with. // a case of mistaken identity

Q: When might 'example' be a better fit than 'instance'?

The meanings of example and instance largely overlap; however, example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case. // a typical example of bureaucratic waste

Q: When can 'illustration' be used instead of 'instance'?

In some situations, the words illustration and instance are roughly equivalent. However, illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement. // a telling illustration of Murphy's Law

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sample' instead of 'instance'?

The words sample and instance can be used in similar contexts, but sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities. // show us a sample of your work

Q: Where would 'specimen' be a reasonable alternative to 'instance'?

While the synonyms specimen and instance are close in meaning, specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available. // one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

instance 1 of 2

noun

ˈin(t)-stən(t)s

Definition of instance

as in example

one of a group or collection that shows what the whole is like this is just one instance of his repeated failure to do what he promised

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

instance

2 of 2

verb

as in to cite

to give as an example instanced one particular incident as an illustration of their penchant for practical jokes

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to mention

to make reference to or speak about briefly but specifically instanced the latest astronomical research in her presentation on measuring star magnitude

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to illustrate

to show or make clear by using examples instanced the hero's moral courage with several examples from the novel

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word instance distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of instance are case, example, illustration, sample, and specimen. While all these words mean "something that exhibits distinguishing characteristics in its category," instance applies to any individual person, act, or thing that may be offered to illustrate or explain.

an instance of history repeating itself

When could case be used to replace instance?

Although the words case and instance have much in common, case is used to direct attention to a real or assumed occurrence or situation that is to be considered, studied, or dealt with.

a case of mistaken identity

When might example be a better fit than instance?

The meanings of example and instance largely overlap; however, example applies to a typical, representative, or illustrative instance or case.

a typical example of bureaucratic waste

When can illustration be used instead of instance?

In some situations, the words illustration and instance are roughly equivalent. However, illustration applies to an instance offered as a means of clarifying or illuminating a general statement.

a telling illustration of Murphy's Law

When is it sensible to use sample instead of instance?

The words sample and instance can be used in similar contexts, but sample implies a part or unit taken at random from a larger whole and so presumed to be typical of its qualities.

show us a sample of your work

Where would specimen be a reasonable alternative to instance?

While the synonyms specimen and instance are close in meaning, specimen applies to any example or sample whether representative or merely existent and available.

one of the finest specimens of the jeweler's art

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 instance

Noun

The few instances of panic were magnified by newspapers eager to discredit the new medium of radio. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026 Other federal agencies amplified the statement on social media, even as the administration’s own investigations have demonstrated that such instances are incredibly rare and been shown not to change the outcome of elections. — ABC News, 23 Oct. 2026

Verb

Topics under discussion included changes in the industry over the last decade, instanced by the rise of digital and gaming, audience fragmentation, and the emergence of disruptive technologies such as AI. — Liza Foreman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2023 But there’s been plenty of room for errors and hallucinations, instances when chatbots like ChatGPT have concocted inaccurate—and sometimes worrying—answers to questions. — Joseph Abrams, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2023 See All Example Sentences for instance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instance

Noun

The world’s highest-profile tech billionaires offer the most conspicuous examples.

— Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
One particularly promising example is an MRI technique that identifies the central vein sign, a feature that can help physicians distinguish lesions associated with MS from abnormalities caused by other conditions.

— Bruce Bebo, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of example

Verb

The Qatari plane left the Iranian capital approximately 30 minutes later, according to aviation tracking data cited by Iran's semi-official Fars News agency.

— Khaled Wassef, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
But several websites were temporarily down Wednesday morning, citing fear that hackers could take them over.

— Kevin Collier, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of cite

Verb

Criminal conduct before citizenship The case illustrates how criminal conduct committed before naturalization can have consequences years after an immigrant becomes an American citizen.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
The sellers made a mistake — and a trip to the poker table helps illustrate their folly.

— Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of illustrate

Verb

The short teaser was shared shortly after it was announced that Chmerkovskiy would be suspended for a week for posting a message on TikTok that seemed to reference Will Smith‘s infamous 2022 Oscars slap.

— Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
In addition to sponsoring custom moments and video clips in the Peacock app, NBCU says, Cohen’s avatar can audibly reference a sponsor’s brand.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of reference

Verb

In his telling, the military campaigns against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran demonstrate the value of uncompromising power.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Completing the flight test just weeks after a captive-carry event demonstrated how quickly the program progressed through its testing sequence.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of demonstrate

Verb

Senior lineman/tight end Zavion Brown has noticed Litke’s growth.

— Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
As petrified parents filed into the warehouse-like church nestled in a strip mall and took seats on folding chairs, Michelle noticed a woman near the front, sitting alone.

— Taylor Galgano, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of notice

Browse Nearby Words

installs

instance

instanced

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Instance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instance. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of instance

noun

verb

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