IMPERMANENT Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

impermanent

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈpər-mə-nənt

Definition of impermanent

as in temporary

intended to last, continue, or serve for a limited time built an impermanent structure to serve for the archaeologists' living quarters during the dig

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in flash

lasting only for a short time a summer romance that was an impermanent fancy, quickly forgotten

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 impermanent Several—Forti and Smith among them—were performance artists, whose impermanent work is notoriously difficult to sell. — News Desk, Artforum, 27 Apr. 2026 Time is impermanent, but timelessness can be built, swish by swish. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2026 But public art is impermanent by design; posters may last months or disappear within hours. — Yamlek Mojica, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026 And executive orders are famously impermanent. — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for impermanent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impermanent

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

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

Running backs coach and special teams coordinator Todd Goebbel will serve as interim coach for the remainder of the season.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
During a March City Council meeting, interim Police Chief Douglas Brinkley said Independence officers conducted 541 pursuits in 2025, compared with 137 by Kansas City police, The Kansas City Star reported.

— Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of interim

Adjective

Yet now, after brief outbreaks in Texas during the 1970s and the Florida Keys in 2016, the dangerous parasite has returned.

— Robert Kelly, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
After Jahan Dotson’s chance at a first impression came and went with only one catch for 19 yards in a season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Falcons’ receiver shared a brief chat with president of football Matt Ryan.

— Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of brief

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

Adjective

The motivation to hit the road, present the music and see the faces of the fans is addictive, but after days of long bus rides and transitory environs, there’s a buzz that comes from getting back to the family.

— Tom Roland, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026
Still, there are hints of purpose in such transitory alignments, a sense of intuitive forces at work.

— Reed Jackson, SPIN, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of transitory

Adjective

In the barn, Raad has assiduously organized ephemeral materials like wall labels from his exhibitions and name cards from dinners he’s attended, all fodder that may or may not become an artwork in the future.

— Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
But there's still plant life to be found, especially around the Hoanib River, an ephemeral river that only flows on the surface following heavy rain—though water persists underground both in the river and in springs.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of ephemeral

Adjective

The Horned Frogs leaned more on their passing game as the run game took a step back significantly in 2023.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026
Containing the ground game could put Seattle in predictable passing situations, giving the Chiefs a chance to pressure Darnold and force mistakes.

— Neil Nakahodo, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of passing

Browse Nearby Words

impermanency

impermanent

impermeable

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Style

“Impermanent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impermanent. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of impermanent

adjective

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