split-second 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsplit-ˈse-kənd How to pronounce split-second (audio)
Definition of split-secondnext
as in instantaneous
done or occurring without any noticeable lapse in time a day trader who is used to making split-second decisions

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

split second

2 of 2

noun

as in minute
a very small space of time a devastating accident can cause everything in your life to change in a split second

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 split-second
Adjective
Goalkeepers can spend long stretches of a match with relatively little involvement, only to be called upon to make a split-second decision that could determine the result. — Asli Pelit, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Poorer sleep and longer shifts were associated with reduced cognitive function, which can affect a firefighter’s ability to make split-second calls, such as when to retreat from an escalating fire. — Julian L. Gallegos, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Noun
Clutching an aerial hoop on a Johannesburg circus stage, a young performer pauses for a split second before launching into the air and gliding, drawing cheers from the crowd below. — ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026 In the days leading up to Saturday’s game against the Saints, Bennett and Simpson split second-team reps during the teams’ joint practice. — Los Angeles Times, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for split-second
Recent Examples of Synonyms for split-second
  1. instantaneous
  2. minute
  3. immediate
  4. second
  5. instant
  6. moment
  7. heartbeat
Adjective
  • And in the interior of a cell, decoherence should be basically instantaneous — quantumness shouldn’t survive long enough in such an environment to have any bearing on biology.
    — Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The standard 80% of financial advice—such as whether to invest or pay off debt, how much money to set aside for emergencies or if a purchase will interfere with a savings goal—becomes instantaneous, free and accessible to anybody with a smartphone.
    — Antoine Sallis, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of instantaneous
Noun
  • Westport proper is a 10-or-so-minute drive away for shopping and strolling.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Both in jeans and black blazers, Ellison and Kreiz fielded questions from the national press for nearly 30 minutes on the lot’s Stage 3.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of minute
Adjective
  • The immediate focus is on joint development, testing, and demonstration.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Bystander videos and photos posted by on social media showed a man sitting on the ground with his hands behind his back, in the immediate aftermath of the shooting.
    — Philip Marcelo, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of immediate
Noun
  • Minnesota went up 1-0 53 seconds into the game on a Matt Boldy snap shot from the point.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026
  • All of that helps the system decide what deserves another few seconds of your attention.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of second
Adjective
  • CorneaCare’s Self Heating Warm Compresses deliver instant warmth plus hydrated minerals aimed at dryness, fatigue, tearing and puffiness.
    — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The leap became an instant hit in Philadelphia, which went on to win the Super Bowl in Barkley’s first season with the team.
    — Mark Long, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of instant
Noun
  • From its opening moments, Zoe Kazan’s epic, sprawling Netflix adaptation of John Steinbeck’s 1952 novel, East of Eden, announces that the monstrous Cathy Ames (played by Florence Pugh) is the true center of the story.
    — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
  • There are these hybrid opportunities to cross-pollinate our incredible products, as well as big moments happening in culture.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of moment
Noun
  • Gabe wears a bracelet containing some of her final heartbeats and her fingerprint.
    — Ashley Sharp, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Hope still has a heartbeat, but that grows fainter by the loss.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of heartbeat

Browse Nearby Words

splits
split-second
split second
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Cite this Entry

“Split-second.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/split-second. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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