instant 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of instantnext
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

instant

2 of 2

noun

ˈin(t)-stənt How to pronounce instant (audio)
as in minute
a very small space of time it all happened in an instant

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
The live feed loads much faster in the Birdbuddy app thanks to a new instant wake-up feature. — Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 22 Oct. 2026 Immediately after applying, my skin looked softer and more hydrated—but to be fair, any good moisturizer can give you that instant gratification. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
In an instant, the app evaluates each flight request in detail, goes through a 300-point checklist that includes real-time aircraft availability, fuel costs, and crew status, and provides a firm, competitive price with no hidden charges. — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2026 The Chi Phi brothers also used the instant-messaging app Snapchat to comment on what was happening, in real time. — Anahid Nersessian, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for instant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instant
  1. instantaneous
  2. urgent
  3. current
  4. minute
  5. immediate
  6. acute
  7. present
  8. second
Adjective
  • Cameras can’t see through dense fog or measure instantaneous velocity like radar can.
    — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 27 Oct. 2026
  • This configuration feeds real-time grip, yaw and velocity data into a central computer, executing independent, instantaneous torque vectoring across the rear wheels.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of instantaneous
Adjective
  • As work at the track progressed, one urgent mitigation project upriver lagged.
    — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Everything feels mellow and unhurried, as if time stopped long ago and there’s nothing urgent to attend to.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of urgent
Adjective
  • Instead of relying on an external mechanical tool to move the molecule, the current itself powers the motion.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • If the current odds in all those states hold, the Democrats would win 18 out of 35 races and shift the majority from 53-47 for the Republicans to 52-48 for the Democrats.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of current
Noun
  • The full, 45-minute set is available now to UK viewers on BBC iPlayer.
    — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
  • And the Current put the ball in the net twice in the five minutes before Hopkins’ second, only to be called for offside each time.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of minute
Adjective
  • Its biotechnology could now serve a more immediate military application.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Times reached out to Script botanicals for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of immediate
Adjective
  • Looking forward, adding Tesla will simply make a new SpaceX’s huge need for cash far more acute.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • For North Carolina, where our infrastructure recently received a C- from the American Society of Civil Engineers, the need for ongoing federal funding for road and highway improvements feels particularly acute.
    — Kevin Blackwell, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of acute
Adjective
  • Although there’s nothing explicitly internet-y about this EP, the digital is present as a background chorus.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The molecules researchers want to detect are often present in tiny amounts, so their signals are faint.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of present
Noun
  • Charlotte saw a 23-point deficit with 10 seconds remaining in the third quarter disappear midway through the fourth after Miami went on a 27-4 run to even it up at 100 apiece.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026
  • In tests by cybersecurity firm McAfee, a three-second clip was enough to generate a clone with an 85% match to the original speaker.
    — Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of second

Browse Nearby Words

instancy
instant
instantaneous
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Instant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instant. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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