instantly

[in-stuhnt-lee]

adverb

1. immediately; at once.

   Synonyms: forthwith

2. urgently.

conjunction

1. as soon as; directly.

   I recognized her instantly she entered the room.

instantly

/ ˈɪnstəntlɪ /

adverb

1. immediately; at once

2. archaic,  urgently or insistently

Word History and Origins

Origin of instantly¹

Late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; instant, -ly

Synonym Study

See immediately.

Example Sentences

Here, tens of thousands of lights instantly flip on for arguably Southern California’s most memorable Christmas light display.

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It’s sometimes said that electronic music is instantly dated because the technology used to create it is always changing.

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I didn’t notice her before, but I instantly don’t trust her.

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Like well-trained cadets, the children instantly stopped making noise and pressed their lips shut, in three straight lines.

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When these die-offs occur, the pandas’ source of food in an area completely and instantly disappears—putting the pandas in grave danger if they cannot locate more bamboo within their habitat.

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Related Words

• directly 
• immediately 
• instantaneously www.thesaurus.com
• right away