INSTANTLY Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

instantly 1 of 2

adverb

ˈin(t)-stənt-lē

Definition of instantly

as in immediately

without delay showed leadership by reacting instantly to the crisis

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

instantly

2 of 2

conjunction

as in when

just at the moment that we realized there would be problems instantly we saw the final report

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 instantly

Adverb

But the celebrations instantly drew criticism over anthropomorphism. — Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026 During the Cold War, the Air Force introduced specialized PLZT goggles that used an electro-optic ceramic to darken almost instantly when exposed to the intense flash from a nuclear explosion. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026 The pattern resembles a red team whose members can clone themselves, work simultaneously and copy every useful discovery to colleagues almost instantly. — Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Rigney and Gere play this back-and-forth perfectly, the instantly emerging tension between them barely concealed behind tight smiles. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for instantly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instantly

Adverb

Reading it immediately quells, or at least quelled my own, paranoia at being alone in the middle of the forest—nobody is getting got here, there’s a gate that only opens if the concierge approves of your face, voice, and name.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
The relationship of the women, both 28, to the child was not immediately clear.

— Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of immediately

Adverb

Clean up dog poop promptly; keep up with veterinary care and parasite prevention; and clean the bowls, bedding, crates, and toys of a pet being treated for giardia.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 12 Aug. 2026
The Dodgers had lost seven in a row before finally winning Saturday at Arizona, then promptly resumed the slide Sunday with a loss to the Diamondbacks.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of promptly

Adverb

McIntosh’s catch features a high elbow and fingers pointing directly down toward the bottom of the pool, resulting in a strong grip on the water.

— Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Why This Eclipse Is Special Lunar eclipses occur only during a full moon, when Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of directly

Browse Nearby Words

instantiations

instantly

instants

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Style

“Instantly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instantly. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of instantly

adverb

conjunction

Example Sentences

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