INSTANT Synonyms: 149 Similar and Opposite Words

instant 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of instant

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

as in urgent

needing immediate attention an instant need for food supplies in the famine-stricken country

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 where an internet search or an AI summary promises an instant answer, there is something seductive about an investigation that requires touching the evidence. — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026 Read More Fujifilm’s stylish Instax Mini Evo is the best instant camera overall. — Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026

Noun

Heat, whisking constantly, until sugar is dissolved and an instant-read thermometer registers 170°. — Tanya Bush, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026 But these changes won’t all be in sync, so there’s no ticking clock that applies to them all at any instant — hence, pseudo-time. — Quanta Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for instant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instant

Adjective

The system effectively turns every step into an instantaneous electrochemical generator.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2026
Back then, subcultures had time to grow deep community roots away from an instantaneous online audience.

— Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of instantaneous

Adjective

These appointments focus on urgent relief, but appointments and follow-ups that take a more preventative approach to identify underlying causes are available, too.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 14 Oct. 2026
A week ago, a call between the US president and his Russian counterpart seemed to be about an urgent clarification over a possible outbreak of plague in Siberia.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of urgent

Adjective

The district also later reported that about 2,000 student assessment records had been posted, including those of 60 current students.

— Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
The calves struggled against a current thick with floating clumps of river plants.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of current

Noun

Over the record’s 33 minutes, Holden delivers an outstanding addition to his catalog that’s as absorbing and realist as any rap album this year.

— Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026
The nearly six-minute film shows how the team combines precision machining, assembly, and repair to accelerate robot development.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of minute

Adjective

Maintaining command-and-control links matters when troops rely on aerial sensors to gather information beyond their immediate positions.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Fire officials were most concerned with keeping the blaze north of Encinal Canyon Road, one of the few natural firebreaks in the immediate area.

— Tom Tapp, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of immediate

Adjective

The cause was determined to be a lack of oxygen to the brain due to severe asthma with acute lung injury while fighting cold-like symptoms.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Other medications are used to treat acute relapses or manage symptoms such as fatigue, walking difficulties, spasticity and bladder problems.

— Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of acute

Adjective

Beef stew dated 9/28 present in refrigerator nearest three-compartment sink.

— NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Officers arrived and worked with office staff to secure the area and ensure the safety of those present, the Rocklin Police Department said news release.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of present

Noun

The ability for anyone to generate strategy, code, or creative work in seconds effectively filled in the moats built on blitzscaling overnight.

— Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
But, the heartbreak would come sneaking around the bend over what might be the wildest 20 seconds of recent Big Ten memory, thanks to the insane final few minutes.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of second

Browse Nearby Words

instancy

instant

instantaneous

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Instant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instant. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of instant

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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