fleeting

1 of 2

adjective

fleet·​ing ˈflē-tiŋ How to pronounce fleeting (audio)
Synonyms of fleeting
: passing swiftly : transitory
… the often fleeting nature of fame and fortune …—Tom Sinclair
fleetingly
ˈflē-tiŋ-lē How to pronounce fleeting (audio)
adverb
fleetingness noun

fleetingness

2 of 2

noun

fleet·​ing·​ness
plural -es
: the quality or state of being fleeting

Synonyms of fleeting

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Adjective

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Choose the Right Synonym for fleeting

transient, transitory, ephemeral, momentary, fugitive, fleeting, evanescent mean lasting or staying only a short time.

transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay.

a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

transitory applies to what is by its nature or essence bound to change, pass, or come to an end.

fame in the movies is transitory

ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration.

many slang words are ephemeral

momentary suggests coming and going quickly and therefore being merely a brief interruption of a more enduring state.

my feelings of guilt were only momentary

fugitive and fleeting imply passing so quickly as to make apprehending difficult.

let a fugitive smile flit across his face
fleeting moments of joy

evanescent suggests a quick vanishing and an airy or fragile quality.

the story has an evanescent touch of whimsy that is lost in translation

Examples of fleeting in a Sentence

Adjective I caught a fleeting glimpse of the comet. had a fleeting desire to jump into the cool lake but kept on hiking
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
The crust on the Margherita is covered in big, charred bubbles, with a tang that’s present, but fleeting. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026 The hard feelings around the decision will hopefully be fleeting. — Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026 Global events, however fleeting, can create a turning point for a destination, sport or product. — Diane Brady, Fortune, 7 July 2026 Denver’s best bites can be fleeting, and that is especially true this month when there will be a wide variety of special events and pop-ups lasting anywhere from one night to a few weeks to a few months. — Jonathan Shikes, Denver Post, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fleeting

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1563, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fleeting was in 1563

Rhymes for fleeting

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Browse Nearby Words

fleet in being
fleeting
fleetingly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fleeting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fleeting. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fleeting

adjective
fleet·​ing
ˈflēt-iŋ
: not lasting : passing swiftly
a fleeting glimpse

More from Merriam-Webster on fleeting

Nglish: Translation of fleeting for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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