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
Mother Love Bone had experienced the kind of instant success that made other local bands furious, signing a record deal after playing fewer than 10 shows. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026 EverPass, however, will give it instant scale in the commercial space. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
But the life-changing day turned in an instant as an 8-year-old struggled in the surf at Riviera Beach, family friend Josh Collette quickly jumping in to help. — Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 25 Aug. 2026 Facing second-and-4 in the second quarter, Browning took a shotgun snap, and Anudike-Uzomah was there in an instant, zipping by Tampa Bay third-string tackle Marshall Fournier for a free shot on Browning. — Kansas City Star, 23 Aug. 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
  • But his son went to meet Kaya, and the connection was almost instantaneous.
    — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026
  • And all have been just as vulnerable to the near-instantaneous bootlegging.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of instantaneous
Adjective
  • This is becoming more urgent, Azam says, as these disasters become more frequent, but experts lack data to better identify the areas that are most at risk of future disasters like this.
    — Diaa Hadid, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Amol Rajan, the BBC Radio 4 Today show presenter, has called for urgent action to save the UK national broadcaster from an existential emergency.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of urgent
Adjective
  • According to the International Energy Agency, global small modular reactor capacity could reach roughly 40 GW by 2050 under current policies, or as much as 120 GW under an accelerated scenario.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The longer the current situation continues, the greater the strain on an economy already struggling with shortages, inflation and restrictions on trade.
    — Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of current
Noun
  • The idea that these two would have a five-minute-or-less breakup conversation, then plop down on the couch and happily embark on an acid trip together, strains credulity a little, even for this bizarre, codependent friend group.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Finally, after about four minutes of confusion, Marine One and the tower make contact.
    — Pete Muntean, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of minute
Adjective
  • His best explanations for this are pressure from shareholders to prioritize immediate returns over long-term investments, and years of obsession with digital that came at the expense of physical retail.
    — Hilary Milnes, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
  • These models predict what the fuel will do in the immediate future.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of immediate
Adjective
  • Latest analysis from the UN World Food Programme (WFP) projects that by the end of 2027, as many as 274 million people worldwide could face acute food insecurity—an increase of approximately 49 million from current levels.
    — , CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Her cause of death was reportedly cardiac arrest, with acute hypoxic respiratory failure and status asthmaticus, or severe asthma, listed as contributing conditions.
    — KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of acute
Adjective
  • Kayley and Nathan’s efforts are intercut with Kasandra opening her birthday present from Jeff (whose airways are now totally clear), a $100,000 diamond necklace.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Commissioners Steve Harrelson and Raymond Jarvis were present while Michael White, the chairman, was absent.
    — Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of present
Noun
  • Its 100mm pixel macro lens captures 28 images per second in order to guide the jet to the gaps in your teeth.
    — Jenny Bailly, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The two stabbings happened about 20 seconds apart, Tisch said.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 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 4 Sep. 2026.

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