immediate
Happening right now
Immediate means happening right now, without delay or intervening time: We need an immediate response.
It also describes things directly adjacent, with nothing between: your immediate family, the immediate vicinity, the immediate cause of death.
An immediate concern demands attention before anything else.
The word emphasizes directness—no gap in time, space, or relation.
Happening without any delay
- nowThe present moment
- momentBrief period of time
- flashBrief burst of light
- split-secondFraction of a moment
heartbeat · jiffy · nanosecond · sudden · abrupt · spontaneous · quick · swift
Directly next to
- nearbyAt small distance
- closeNearby or to shut
- neighboringSituated beside another
- nextImmediately following in sequence
surrounding · local · bordering · contiguous · adjoining · nearest · closest · next-door
Without intermediary
- straightNot curved or crooked
- hands-onInvolving direct physical engagement
- personalRelating to one's self
- face-to-faceDirect personal encounter
primary · linear · unfiltered · raw · pure · explicit · clear · plain
Requiring immediate attention
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- emergencySerious sudden danger
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
- priorityStatus of greater importance
imperative · acute · demanding · time-sensitive · expedite · alarming · desperate · severe
Those connected by blood
- kinBlood-connected people
- nuclearOf atomic energy
- householdDomestic unit of residents
- parentsMother and father
children · siblings · spouse · dependents · next of kin
instantaneous
Happening without any delay
split-second · heartbeat · jiffy · nanosecond · sudden · abrupt · spontaneous · quick · swift · rapid
adjacent
Directly next to
- nearbyAt small distance
- closeNearby or to shut
- neighboringSituated beside another
next · surrounding · local · bordering · contiguous · adjoining · nearest · closest · next-door · at hand
firsthand
Without intermediary
- straightNot curved or crooked
- hands-onInvolving direct physical engagement
- personalRelating to one's self
face-to-face · primary · linear · unfiltered · raw · pure · explicit · clear · plain · blunt
pressing
Requiring immediate attention
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- emergencySerious sudden danger
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
priority · imperative · acute · demanding · time-sensitive · expedite · alarming · desperate · severe · triage
relatives
Those connected by blood
parents · children · siblings · spouse · dependents · next of kin
immediateindirect
Not straight or immediate
mediated · secondhand · removed · divorced · derivative
- immediate familyClosest relatives by blood
- immediate gratificationDesire for quick pleasure
- immediate futureTime just ahead
- immediate familiesClosest blood relations
- immediate surroundings
- immediate reactionUndelayed response to stimulus