instantaneous

adjective

ˌin(t)-stən-ˈtā-nē-əs How to pronounce instantaneous (audio)
Definition of instantaneousnext
as in immediate
done or occurring without any noticeable lapse in time the thunder following the flash of lightning was nearly instantaneous

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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 instantaneous Transitions between multiple devices were practically instantaneous in my testing, even when one was using LDAC and the other LC3. — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026 Despite the internet’s capacity for instantaneous interaction, followers have proved a poor replacement for friends. — Evan Clarkson, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026 Though nearly instantaneous by 19th-century standards, the transmission took more than 16 hours. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Aug. 2026 That transition is not instantaneous, and for a few minutes the two systems overlap. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for instantaneous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instantaneous
  1. immediate
  2. instant
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
  • This piece argues critical thinking was built for reflection and human opponents, not for fluent, instant AI output.
    — Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Another really handy feature that XTU has included is a magnetic instant snap-in magnetic mount, which locks in securely to the bottom of the camera allowing for it to be mounted in various ways – selfie stick, tripod, dashcam or on a helmet.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of instant

Browse Nearby Words

instant
instantaneous
instantaneously
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Cite this Entry

“Instantaneous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instantaneous. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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