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
In a world of constant visibility and instant judgment, the cost of failure can feel higher than ever— the instinct is to avoid risk, protect what exists, and wait for certainty that never arrives. — Keith Krach, Fortune, 3 July 2026 Offers three-credit-bureau monitoring, VPN, dark web monitoring, password manager, email aliases and instant credit lock. — Brian Sloan, CNBC, 3 July 2026
Noun
Grill, uncovered, turning often, until charred in spots and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thighs and/or drumsticks registers 160°, about 5 minutes more. — Inés Anguiano, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026 But there are hidden masses among us who need only catch a glimpse of its college-Photoshop cover art—a Statue of Liberty with her dress hiked up, dancing like the recession had just been declared over—to feel an instant shiver of pathos and pain. — Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 5 July 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
  • This automates the quality assurance process, replacing slow manual review with instantaneous digital flows.
    — Ali Hoss, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • With the craft's communications failing within the first two hours, the submersible imploded upon descent, resulting in their instantaneous deaths.
    — Dan Snierson, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026
Definition of instantaneous
Adjective
  • In his inital letter, Lehmkuhl agreed that there is an urgent need to clear debris and address the persistent odor of millions of pounds of rotting food at the site.
    — Jasmine Mendez Follow, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • The industry conversation around funding reform is urgent precisely because this generation deserves a system that matches their ambition and offers them a future.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 3 July 2026
Definition of urgent
Adjective
  • The union says it’s already made concessions at the bargaining table but with little offered in return to improve current conditions and wages.
    — Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago’s past.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of current
Noun
  • And when Cape Verde’s Deroy Duarte evened the score with a right footed shot from a difficult angle at the 59-minute mark, the stunned stadium went silent, minus two small spirited clots of Cape Verde fans in the East end zone seats.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
  • Niehues fired home the rebound for the opening goal in the 36th minute.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of minute
Adjective
  • The report's authors said the case highlights the importance of seeking immediate medical evaluation after any direct contact with a bat, even if there is no visible bite or scratch.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • The tang of the sauce was eye-widening and immediate, crackling with the bright, citrusy charge of tomatillos and serrano chiles.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of immediate
Adjective
  • The Irkutsk region, home to a Rosneft oil refinery, has experienced acute shortages for several days, with lines growing, Kharitonenko said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026
  • Extensive evidence suggests that treating acute psychiatric conditions in an ED setting yields poor clinical outcomes.
    — Ian West, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of acute
Adjective
  • But like every rookie, even an elderly 23-year-old like Lendeborg, inconsistency was still present.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
  • Despite the intense scrutiny, Ryan is performing and, more importantly, staying present with the upstart Twins.
    — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of present
Noun
  • First-round pick Cameron Carr only played in the first half Monday, finishing with five points, one rebound, one assist, one steal, one block and three fouls in 12 minutes and 49 seconds.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Within seconds of arriving, we were checked in, and our luggage was tagged and whisked away, giving us ample time to use the bathroom and enjoy a cup of coffee in the lounge.
    — Annie Archer, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 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 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on instant

Nglish: Translation of instant for Spanish Speakers

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All