instances 1 of 2

plural of instance
as in examples
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

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instances

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of instance
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2
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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 instances
Noun
According to the library association's most recent report, published in April, some 5,600 instances of bans took place during the previous year. — Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026 Despite the popularity of Asian foods, there are still instances of ugly stereotypes on social media that have resulted in real harm to a restaurant's reputation. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026 In a search warrant affidavit made public last year, detectives said the video recordings showed multiple instances of physical and emotional abuse, including a nanny striking a child, then forcing them to hold a squatting position. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 In other instances, such as in Louisiana, an AI law was enacted after the ad aired. — Michael Franz, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026 The decision serves as a marker of democracy in a political system that protects the rights of minorities in instances when one side has an overwhelming majority. — The Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Oct. 2026 In instances like these, and there are many of them, one realizes how the novel acquires, and justifies, its title. — Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026 And the drumbeat of safety concerns continue to beat louder, with AI companies revealing more instances of models acting without human authorization in the past week. — Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026 There have also been multiple cases of ALPR errors leading to wrongful police stops or instances of the technology being abused, according to a recent CBS News investigation. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instances
Noun
  • On a single day late last month, a citizen and a noncitizen—one in Illinois, the other in Texas—became the most recent examples of this new reality.
    — Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
  • In court documents, Fox's legal team noted that Thomson does not have concrete examples of specific claims being made about him.
    — David Folkenflik, NPR, 4 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In court documents, the Justice Department cites that ruling.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Jay cites the scene in which Tommy DeVito (played by Joe Pesci) threatens Billy Batts (Frank Vincent) with increasingly outrageous acts of violence, turning the mobster’s menace into dark comedy.
    — John Kennedy, VIBE.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The indictment mentions evidence of the smuggling that took place in 2024, with Earthmade Computer buying dozens of high-end servers and shipping them overseas.
    — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Neither mentions coal specifically, but rather bulk commodities.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Turkheimer said the apparent mistake illustrates how the complexities of statutes of limitations can undermine the fundamental premise of the justice system.
    — Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026
  • One transaction illustrates how the operation allegedly worked.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Small Town Girls references two shootings, a reference to the gun violence that’s a staple of American life, now more than ever.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In my experience running organic and paid search programs for B2B software companies, this shows up long before anyone notices it in a budget review.
    — Gaetano Romeo, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • About ten minutes into the standoff, the detective notices Bottom holding something in his hand.
    — Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • This exhibit demonstrates how more than 600 muscles fuel human movement.
    — Emma Hall October 3, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • As Applied Aerospace strips out IPO charges over the next two quarters, demonstrates its capital-light operating leverage, and starts collecting cash on its backlog, the valuation gap will likely compress.
    — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Before buying, confirm the device lists wavelengths in the 630-to-850-nanometer range and specifies power output.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2026
  • When leadership specifies what rigor looks like upfront, teams can stop trading quality for speed.
    — Nacho De Marco, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Instances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instances. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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