instances 1 of 2

noun

plural of instance
as in examples
one of a group or collection that shows what the whole is like this is just one instance of his repeated failure to do what he promised

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instances

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of instance
1
as in cites
to give as an example instanced one particular incident as an illustration of their penchant for practical jokes

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2
as in mentions
to make reference to or speak about briefly but specifically instanced the latest astronomical research in her presentation on measuring star magnitude

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in illustrates
to show or make clear by using examples instanced the hero's moral courage with several examples from the novel

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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 instances
Noun
The manual says no more than two gloves should be applied to a subject at one time and they should not be used for more than 15 seconds in many instances. — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026 The university investigation eventually concluded that Churchill had committed multiple instances of plagiarism, fabrication, and falsification. — Jeff Gurney, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026 The possibility that some countries actually like seeding chaos in neighboring countries cannot be ruled out, as is the case with Rwanda undermining the Democratic Republic of the Congo,but such instances are rare. — Eghosa E. Osaghae, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2026 The pop superstar has not spoken publicly about these instances. — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026 Licata noted a few instances where the air conditioning wasn’t working, but students were able to be moved to different places. — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Aug. 2026 And foreign nationals have in multiple instances been targeted in the Administration’s anti-fraud campaign. — Connor Greene, Time, 10 Aug. 2026 There have, however, already been several instances of Trump-friendly companies having cases against them dropped during the president’s second term. — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Apartment values appear to have faltered in Oakland, an economic erosion that has unleashed loan delinquencies and even foreclosures in a growing number of instances. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instances
  1. examples
  2. cites
  3. mentions
  4. illustrates
  5. references
  6. notices
  7. demonstrates
  8. specifies
Noun
  • While not every meet-cute on set grows into something real, there have been plenty of examples of A-list co-workers entering into successful relationships.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Seven examples were recently collected from Pacific waters 2 to 3 miles deep near the Cook Islands, and the teeth were as big as 5 inches in length, NOAA Ocean Exploration noted in a news release.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of examples
Verb
  • The suit cites an August 2025 article by Forbes that alleged Pierson inflated the readership and valuation of her lifestyle newsletter during business pitches.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Null cites 1997-98 as the classic example of why storm timing matters.
    — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of cites
Verb
  • Someone mentions that a department is expanding or offer to refer you for a job with their organization.
    — Dr. Cynthia J. Young, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Girl Group also mentions Ary as a must-see artist, as well as the band Three40Four and singer-songwriters Elia and Ea Othilde.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of mentions
Verb
  • This illustrates how far the Eagles have come at the position under Fangio.
    — Zach Berman, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The story of sardines feeding Japan’s war machine illustrates the convergence of technology, environment and imperialism.
    — Pei-Hsu Lin, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of illustrates
Verb
  • Small Town Girls references two shootings, a reference to the gun violence that’s a staple of American life, now more than ever.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Definition of references
Verb
  • Someone notices the haze, the group texts start and facilities teams scramble to decide whether to close windows, change filters, cancel activities or send people home.
    — Sissi Liu, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Now three seasons in, De Oliveira notices just how much of Cruz she’s taken in.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of notices
Verb
  • The attempt to recruit Vinicius Jr demonstrates the intention.
    — Kaya Kaynak, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • As Amziah demonstrates during this lesson, the queen is the center of the universe and without her, the colony would collapse.
    — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of demonstrates
Verb
  • The plan also specifies rezoning along major commercial corridors, including Winchester Boulevard and The Alameda.
    — Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The document also specifies that the tax would apply to any data centers located in space.
    — Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of specifies

Browse Nearby Words

instanced
instances
instancies
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Cite this Entry

“Instances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instances. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of instances for Spanish Speakers

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