crying and instant share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. crying means “demanding attention”. instant means “occurring with no delay”. crying is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˈkɹaɪɪŋ/
1.adj.demanding attention
“clamant needs”
2.adj.conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
“a crying shame”
3.n.the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
“I hate to hear the crying of a child”
/ˈɪnstənt/
1.adj.occurring with no delay
“relief was instantaneous”
2.adj.in or of the present month
“your letter of the 10th inst”
3.adj.demanding attention
“clamant needs”
| crying | instant | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈkɹaɪɪŋ/ | /ˈɪnstənt/ |
| Said | KRAHY-ing | IN-stuhnt |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Letters | 6 | 7 |
| Parts of speech | adjective, noun | adjective, noun |
| Senses | 3 | 5 |
| How common | Core | Common |
| Synonyms | clamant, exigent, insistent | instantaneous |
Full entry for crying · Full entry for instant · More comparisons