instantly

(ĭn'stənt-lē)
adv.

1. At once.
2. With insistence; urgently.

conj. Chiefly British
As soon as.

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Instantly means 'immediately' and refers to the point at which something happens, whereas instantaneously means 'in an instant' and refers to the (imperceptibly short) period of time that something takes:

He pressed the override switch and the computer came instantly to life—A. Haig, 1974

Her throat had been slashed viciously, and she must have died almost instantaneously—R. Long, 1990.

The result can often be the same, but the difference of emphasis is worth bearing in mind.

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adverb

Without delay: directly, forthwith, immediately, instant, now, right away, right off, straightaway, straight off. Idioms: at once, first off. See time.

adv

Definition: right now
Antonyms: eventually, later, slowly

IN BRIEF: adv. - Without any delay; Without delay or hesitation.

He insists on being paid instantly for what he does — J. T. Mackey

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For a list of words related to instantly, see:

• Conjunctions

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