split-second
1 of 2adjective
split-sec·ond ˈsplit-ˈse-kənd 
1
: occurring in a split second
a split-second decision
2
: extremely precise
split-second timing
split second
2 of 2noun
: a fractional part of a second : flash
Synonyms
Adjective
- immediate
- instant
- instantaneous
- straightaway
Noun
- beat
- eyeblink
- flash
- heartbeat
- instant
- jiff
- jiffy
- minute
- moment
- nanosecond
- New York minute
- second
- shake
- trice
- twinkle
- twinkling
- wink
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun In a split second, it was all over. a devastating accident can cause everything in your life to change in a split second
Recent Examples on the Web
CNN, 7 Sep. 2022 The mind magically traverses the unspoken stretch between concrete signposts in a split second. Melissa Holbrook Pierson, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2022 In addition to rapidly perceiving looming threats, flies need to be able to fly away in a split second. Jamie Theobald, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2022 In a split second, the trolling motor revved and swung the boat around and pointed it straight into the current as the algorithm made constant adjustments to the power and direction. Billy Baker, BostonGlobe.com, 29 July 2022 Even a tiny piece of flying debris can cause serious injury to your eye in a split second, easily resulting in an expensive trip to the ER, or complete loss of your eyesight. Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 27 July 2022 The robber froze for a split second and watched Bartek hit the pavement. Cory Shaffer, cleveland, 26 July 2022 When the man turns for a split second, Gallagher fires two rounds. David Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 July 2022 How to play Hawk Eye, from BrainHQ: A target bird appears on screen among distractor birds for a split second. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 10 July 2022 See More
Noun
In addition to perceiving looming threats rapidly, flies need to be able to fly away in a split second. CNN, 7 Sep. 2022 The mind magically traverses the unspoken stretch between concrete signposts in a split second. Melissa Holbrook Pierson, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2022 In addition to rapidly perceiving looming threats, flies need to be able to fly away in a split second. Jamie Theobald, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2022 In a split second, the trolling motor revved and swung the boat around and pointed it straight into the current as the algorithm made constant adjustments to the power and direction. Billy Baker, BostonGlobe.com, 29 July 2022 Even a tiny piece of flying debris can cause serious injury to your eye in a split second, easily resulting in an expensive trip to the ER, or complete loss of your eyesight. Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 27 July 2022 The robber froze for a split second and watched Bartek hit the pavement. Cory Shaffer, cleveland, 26 July 2022 When the man turns for a split second, Gallagher fires two rounds. David Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 July 2022 How to play Hawk Eye, from BrainHQ: A target bird appears on screen among distractor birds for a split second. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 10 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Adjective
1944, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
1912, in the meaning defined above
split-second 1 of 2
adjective
as in instantaneous
done or occurring without any noticeable lapse in time a day trader who is used to making split-second decisions Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- instantaneous
- instant
- immediate
- rapid
- swift
- straightaway
- quick
- summary
- speedy
- prompt
- fast
- hit-and-run
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- prolonged
- slow
- protracted
- sluggish
- delayed
- deferred
- tardy
- dilatory
split second
2 of 2noun
as in second
a very small space of time a devastating accident can cause everything in your life to change in a split second Synonyms & Similar Words
- second
- minute
- heartbeat
- moment
- instant
- trice
- nanosecond
- shake
- New York minute
- twinkling
- beat
- twinkle
- wink
- jiffy
- flash
- microsecond
- eyeblink
- jiff
- snatch
- spurt
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- age
- forever
- lifetime
- eternity
- eon
- infinity
- aeon