instance
1 of 2noun
in·stance ˈin(t)-stən(t)s 
1
: a step, stage, or situation viewed as part of a process or series of events
prefers, in this instance, to remain anonymous 
The Times Literary Supplement (London)
The Times Literary Supplement (London)2
: the institution and prosecution of a lawsuit : suit
3
a
: an individual illustrative of a category or brought forward in support or disproof of a generalization
b
archaic : exception
c
obsolete : token, sign
4
a
: instigation, request
am writing to you at the instance of my client
b
archaic : urgent or earnest solicitation
c
obsolete : an impelling cause or motive
instance
2 of 2verb
instanced; instancing
transitive verb
1
: to illustrate or demonstrate by an instance
2
: to mention as a case or example : cite
Phrases
for instance \\ fə-ˈrin(t)-stən(t)s 
, ˈfrin(t)- \\ : as an instance or example
older people, like my grandmother, for instance
Synonyms
Noun
- case
- example
- exemplar
- exemplification
- illustration
- prototype
- representative
- sample
- specimen
Verb
- adduce
- cite
- mention
- quote
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun an instance of great courage These delays are just another instance of bureaucratic inefficiency. In most instances the disease can be controlled by medication. They have decided not to oppose the decision in this instance. Verb instanced one particular incident as an illustration of their penchant for practical jokes instanced the latest astronomical research in her presentation on measuring star magnitude See More
Recent Examples on the Web Maggie O'neill, SELF, 17 Sep. 2022 For instance, because Notre Dame’s offense controlled the clock, OSU’s defense did not play a lot of snaps in Week 1. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 16 Sep. 2022 For instance, Jimmy Buffett is playing there in October. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2022 For instance, those who have been infected with the coronavirus would still need to mask up for a 10-day period after the start of symptoms or their first positive test, county officials say. Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2022 For instance, a wetter-than-average winter this year, which would supplement all the reservoirs in the Colorado River Basin, could negate the need for emergency releases. Rachel Ramirez, CNN, 16 Sep. 2022 For instance, the Prime Minister of Poland nominates the members of the International Auschwitz Council, the people who sort of advise and supervise what goes on at Auschwitz. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2022 For instance, people of color had better outcomes after undergoing regular appointments to manage diabetes at their pharmacy. Ilisa Bg Bernstein And Paul W. Abramowitz, STAT, 16 Sep. 2022 For instance, excess steamed milk that won't fit in a latte or cappuccino will be chilled instead of discarded, so the kitchen staff can make ricotta. Carol Deptolla, Journal Sentinel, 16 Sep. 2022 Steve Dimeglio, USA TODAY, 9 July 2022 See More
Noun
For instance, some people with oily skin may need a stronger exfoliant on night one, and your dermatologist should be able to help with this and recommend a solid product. Maggie O'neill, SELF, 17 Sep. 2022 For instance, because Notre Dame’s offense controlled the clock, OSU’s defense did not play a lot of snaps in Week 1. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 16 Sep. 2022 For instance, Jimmy Buffett is playing there in October. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2022 For instance, those who have been infected with the coronavirus would still need to mask up for a 10-day period after the start of symptoms or their first positive test, county officials say. Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2022 For instance, a wetter-than-average winter this year, which would supplement all the reservoirs in the Colorado River Basin, could negate the need for emergency releases. Rachel Ramirez, CNN, 16 Sep. 2022 For instance, the Prime Minister of Poland nominates the members of the International Auschwitz Council, the people who sort of advise and supervise what goes on at Auschwitz. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2022 For instance, people of color had better outcomes after undergoing regular appointments to manage diabetes at their pharmacy. Ilisa Bg Bernstein And Paul W. Abramowitz, STAT, 16 Sep. 2022 For instance, excess steamed milk that won't fit in a latte or cappuccino will be chilled instead of discarded, so the kitchen staff can make ricotta. Carol Deptolla, Journal Sentinel, 16 Sep. 2022 Verb
For, instance the home to the putting surface of the fifth and 13th holes is 100 yards deep and at least 50 yards wide. Steve Dimeglio, USA TODAY, 9 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4b
Verb
1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing instance
Kids Definition
instance
noun
in·stance ˈin-stəns
1
: a particular occurrence of something : example
an instance of true bravery
2
: a certain point or situation in a process or series of events
In most instances, the medicine helps.
Legal Definition
instance
noun
in·stance ˈin-stəns
: the institution or prosecution of a lawsuit
a court of first instance
instancing
verb
1
as in mentioning
to give as an example instanced one particular incident as an illustration of their penchant for practical jokes Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- mentioning
- citing
- adducing
- referencing
- specifying
- quoting
- sourcing
- illustrating
- naming
- exemplifying
- validating
- bearing out
- representing
- touching (on or upon)
- documenting
- corroborating
- adverting (to)
- referring (to)
- substantiating
2
as in specifying
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
- specifying
- mentioning
- noticing
- citing
- noting
- naming
- quoting
- introducing
- indicating
- explaining
- indicating
- suggesting
- touching (on or upon)
- inferring
- implying
- interpolating
- adverting (to)
- dropping
- publishing
- referring (to)
- announcing
- pronouncing
- intimating
- denominating
- clarifying
- intending
- advertising
- signaling
- broaching
- interposing
- broadcasting
- explicating
- designating
- declaring
- interjecting
- alluding (to)
- bringing up
- hinting (at)
- signifying
- spelling out
- pointing (out)
- insinuating
- elucidating
- signalling
- publicizing
- sounding
- proclaiming
- infiltrating
- worming
- clearing (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- forgetting
- ignoring
- neglecting
- disregarding
- overlooking
- slighting
- passing over
- overpassing
3
as in illustrating
to show or make clear by using examples instanced the hero's moral courage with several examples from the novel Synonyms & Similar Words
- illustrating
- demonstrating
- explaining
- specifying
- exemplifying
- adducing
- mentioning
- analyzing
- clarifying
- explicating
- simplifying
- naming
- quoting
- citing
- edifying
- expounding
- interpreting
- detailing
- elucidating
- construing
- spelling out
- enlightening
- enumerating
- breaking down
- clearing (up)
- illuminating
- listing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- obscuring
- fogging
- blurring
- darkening
- clouding
- confusing
- puzzling
- beclouding
- muddying
- perplexing
- fibronectin
- fibronectins
- fibroplasias
- fibroplaster
- fibros
- fibrosarcoma
- fibrosarcomas
- fibrosarcomata
- fibroses
- fibrosis
- fibrositis
- fibrositises
- Fibrospongiae
- fibrotic
- fibrous
- fibrous glass
- fibrous plaster
- fibrous ring
- fibrous root
- fibrous-rooted begonia
- fibrouser
- fibrousest
- fibrously
- fibrousness
- fibrousnesses