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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Recent Examples of instantaneous
One is instantaneous, the brain just flips into unrecognizable thoughts, and the other is a deterioration over time.
—
Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
By all accounts, virality is violent for its subjects, and building a sustainable career from sudden celebrity is a formidable task; any sensible person would be wise to distrust such an instantaneous anointing.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Not only has Martone’s impact been instantaneous, but there’s also every reason to be wildly excited about the 19-year-old’s future.
—Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The bold diagonal composition achieved an instantaneous visual impact.
—Joshua John Miller, Vanity Fair, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instantaneous
Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
By all accounts, virality is violent for its subjects, and building a sustainable career from sudden celebrity is a formidable task; any sensible person would be wise to distrust such an instantaneous anointing.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Not only has Martone’s impact been instantaneous, but there’s also every reason to be wildly excited about the 19-year-old’s future.
—Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The bold diagonal composition achieved an instantaneous visual impact.
—Joshua John Miller, Vanity Fair, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instantaneous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instantaneous
Adjective
-
The race came amid a broader power struggle between the two sides of City Hall early in both Mamdani and Menin’s leadership, but the election will also have a more immediate impact.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
No immediate impact likely for world oil markets The UAE’s withdrawal from OPEC won’t necessarily have any immediate effects in markets.—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
An instant fan club of sorts coalesced around Glantz.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
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Minutes earlier, Kelsy took advantage of an uncharacteristically lax exchange, blindsiding Jeppe Tverskov to take possession and create an instant breakaway opportunity.—
Ryan Finley,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instantaneous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instantaneous. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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