as in example
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to cite
to give as an example
instanced one particular incident as an illustration of their penchant for practical jokes
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to mention
to make reference to or speak about briefly but specifically
instanced the latest astronomical research in her presentation on measuring star magnitude
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to illustrate
to show or make clear by using examples
instanced the hero's moral courage with several examples from the novel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of instance
Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 8 Jan. 2026
The agency has also probed 2021 Tesla Model Y vehicles after reports of exterior door handles becoming inoperative due to low battery voltage, leading to instances of children stuck inside vehicles.
—Andrea Guzmán, Austin American Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Liza Foreman, Variety, 14 Oct. 2023
But there’s been plenty of room for errors and hallucinations, instances when chatbots like ChatGPT have concocted inaccurate—and sometimes worrying—answers to questions.
—Joseph Abrams, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2023
See All Example Sentences for instance
Noun
The museum suspects a former curator of peddling the goods on eBay — in one instance, a $60,000 piece of jewelry sold for merely $48 — but has only recovered some 650 items.
—Verb
Topics under discussion included changes in the industry over the last decade, instanced by the rise of digital and gaming, audience fragmentation, and the emergence of disruptive technologies such as AI.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for instance
Noun
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An example is the division or spreading out of the cooking point of the triangle.—
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If time permits, checking these kinds of items (strollers, for example) can be immensely helpful, especially for those already juggling multiple bags and kids.—
Verb
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The driver was cited and is expected to get a criminal complaint for endangered driving.—
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What evidence are authorities citing against the suspect?—
Verb
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Not to mention the titular bugs, a swarm of blood-invading creatures discovered by her new lover, the mysterious drifter Peter Evans (Namir Smallwood).—
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Hafley said Wednesday that having his name being mentioned as a head coaching candidate is flattering and humbling.—
Verb
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Recent reassessments in parts of West Garfield Park, North Lawndale and Englewood illustrate a broader problem, with increases that go far beyond routine market movement.—
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Advertisement No country illustrates the region’s dilemma better than Brazil, Latin America’s largest democracy.—
Verb
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Criminals may reference the breach to sound legitimate.—
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On that track, Drake trolls a female friend’s meltdown over the galactic beat, which some fans believe may reference Kim Kardashian’s relationship with ex-husband Ye (formerly Kanye West).—
Verb
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The guidelines include changes to alcohol recommendations, no longer specifying appropriate limits for men and women.—
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It was not specified whether any weapons were involved in the fight.—
Verb
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The new technology described in the study demonstrates the incredible potential of combining classic engineering principles (like the Tesla turbine) with modern materials science to address long-standing industrial challenges.—
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Earlier protests demonstrated many Iranians’ opposition to the theocracy’s hard-line ideology, its insistence on the hijab, its control of media and education, its general brutality.—
Verb
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The theft wasn't noticed until a store employee saw that the entire caviar section was empty, which led management to check their security cameras.—
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One game, Jordan Ross, his roommate, noticed that Jake was too late to rotate over on a double-team from the baseline side on a drive.—
Cite this Entry
“Instance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instance. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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