FUGITIVE Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'fugitive' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of fugitive are ephemeral , evanescent , fleeting , momentary , transient , and transitory . While all these words mean "lasting or staying only a short time," fugitive and fleeting imply passing so quickly as to make apprehending difficult. // let a fugitive smile flit across his face // fleeting moments of joy

Q: When is 'ephemeral' a more appropriate choice than 'fugitive'?

The meanings of ephemeral and fugitive largely overlap; however, ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration. // many slang words are ephemeral

Q: When is it sensible to use 'evanescent' instead of 'fugitive'?

In some situations, the words evanescent and fugitive are roughly equivalent. However, evanescent suggests a quick vanishing and an airy or fragile quality. // the story has an evanescent touch of whimsy that is lost in translation

Q: When can 'momentary' be used instead of 'fugitive'?

While in some cases nearly identical to fugitive , 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

Q: Where would 'transient' be a reasonable alternative to 'fugitive'?

The words transient and fugitive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay. // a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

Q: In what contexts can 'transitory' take the place of 'fugitive'?

The words transitory and fugitive can be used in similar contexts, but 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

fugitive 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfyü-jə-tiv

Definition of fugitive

as in elusive

hard to find, capture, or isolate that fugitive trait called artistic creativity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in flash

lasting only for a short time had fugitive thoughts of leaving town after finishing high school but never acted on them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in nomadic

traveling from place to place a small fugitive circus that traveled the countryside

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fugitive

2 of 2

noun

as in alien

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fugitive different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of fugitive are ephemeral, evanescent, fleeting, momentary, transient, and transitory. While all these words mean "lasting or staying only a short time," fugitive and fleeting imply passing so quickly as to make apprehending difficult.

let a fugitive smile flit across his face

fleeting moments of joy

When is ephemeral a more appropriate choice than fugitive?

The meanings of ephemeral and fugitive largely overlap; however, ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration.

many slang words are ephemeral

When is it sensible to use evanescent instead of fugitive?

In some situations, the words evanescent and fugitive are roughly equivalent. However, evanescent suggests a quick vanishing and an airy or fragile quality.

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

When can momentary be used instead of fugitive?

While in some cases nearly identical to fugitive, 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

Where would transient be a reasonable alternative to fugitive?

The words transient and fugitive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay.

a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

In what contexts can transitory take the place of fugitive?

The words transitory and fugitive can be used in similar contexts, but 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

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 fugitive

Adjective

About 130 people in the Sheriff’s Office have access to the Flock camera database, mainly in the patrol, fugitive and undercover divisions. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026 Bey was eventually detained and charged in connection with the fugitive warrant. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 Aug. 2026

Noun

Machado is considered a fugitive by Venezuelan authorities, who accuse her of calling for foreign military intervention. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026 With Poland effectively sealed off and her own life now in danger, she is forced into hiding and becomes a hunted fugitive, navigating a city transformed by fear, political repression and violence. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fugitive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fugitive

Adjective

But fatherland can also be a state of mind where fathers live, a state both more specific and more elusive than fatherhood.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 23 Oct. 2026
Still, for many other specialty fashion brands, gains have been elusive.

— David Moin, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of elusive

Adjective

San Antonio, Texas, was under a flash-flood warning through Thursday evening, and the city urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

— Fabiola Sanchez, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
On Monday, the flash-flood threat is lower, but locally heavy downpours are possible for parts of the Mid-Atlantic later in the day.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of flash

Adjective

The recall classification was updated this month to Class ll — meaning exposure to the product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Any kind of workout is a temporary emergency for the cells involved.

— Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of temporary

Adjective

The transient air pressure of a passing thunderstorm, or the excessive production of cow patties, spoiled the chips.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Back in February, Wyandotte County commissioners decided that the local government would direct a portion of its future sales, use and transient guest tax revenues to pay for the Chiefs development.

— Sofi Zeman October 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of transient

Browse Nearby Words

fuggy

fugitive

fugitiveness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Fugitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fugitive. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of fugitive

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

The Origin of 'Refugee'

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on fugitive

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of fugitive

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to fugitive

The Origin of 'Refugee'

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on fugitive

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes