instant

adjimmediate, urgent
nounmoment

Synonyms for instant

adj immediate, urgent

Antonyms for instant

Word Origin & History

late 14c., "infinitely short space of time," from Old French instant (adj.) "assiduous, at hand," from Medieval Latin instantem (nominative instans), in classical Latin "present, pressing, urgent," literally "standing near," present participle of instare "to urge, to stand near, be present (to urge one's case)," from in- "in" (see in- (2)) + stare "to stand," from PIE root *sta- "to stand" (see stet). Elliptical use of the French adjective as a noun.

Example Sentences forinstant

The venerable Persian gazed at her for an instant, and then clasped her to his bosom.

One swift glance had shown him there was no way of instant retreat.

She was lost, for the instant, in a maze of disagreeable reflection.

And accordingly, when he wakened in the middle of the night, he was alert on the instant.

He had his revolver on the fellow in the instant, and yet he held his fire.

It made Andy frown, and for an instant he thought of calling Buck back.

And the words of the younger man had an instant effect on Buck Heath.

In an instant he was in his saddle and spurring down the valley.

In an instant order and method took the place of general confusion.

On the instant, he threw off his coat and sprang far out after the drifting body.

instant

Synonyms for instant

Antonyms for instant

bits

breath

burning

coming

contemporary

instant

Synonyms for instant

Antonyms for instant

More words related to instant

bit

bits

breath

burning

coming

contemporary