SHORT-LIVED Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

short-lived

adjective

ˈshȯrt-ˈlivd

Definition of short-lived

as in brief

lasting only for a short time the skier's triumph turned out to be short-lived, as the next competitor bested her time

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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 short-lived Europe has long resisted air conditioning as noisy, an eyesore on architectural facades and unnecessary, as brutal summer heat has been relatively short-lived. — Anniek Bao,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 2 July 2026 But that trip to the sideline was short-lived and the 24-year-old has dominated since returning, stringing together 15 ⅔ scoreless innings with Triple-A Albuquerque. — Michael Lycklama, Idaho Statesman, 3 July 2026 The respite proved to be short-lived as Belgium continued its onslaught and eventually found the net in the 9th minute off the foot of Charles De Ketelaere after the US defense failed to clear the ball out of the box. — Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 His death, announced to Deadline by his family, came just 10 days after that of Ronnie Schell, Baker’s co-star in the short-lived but fondly remembered 1967 sitcom Good Morning World. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for short-lived

Recent Examples of Synonyms for short-lived

Adjective

Weist herself appears in a brief introductory clip before the performance proper.

— Rhoda Feng, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Defense attorney Jeremy Warren, who represents both Russell and Flores, argued in both cases that prosecutors had made unusual decisions to charge the deputies with civil rights violations for brief, one-off choices.

— Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026

Definition of brief

Adjective

Rodríguez said emergency economic measures will include relief funds for victims and temporary waivers on documentation and property registration fees to facilitate housing relocation.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Under Venezuela’s constitution, temporary absences are to be filled by the vice president — which was Rodríguez’s former role — for up to 90 days.

— Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of temporary

Adjective

In fact, the weather service said that more than 50% of flash-flood deaths happen in vehicles driven into floodwaters.

— Doyle Rice, USA Today, 16 June 2026
Don’t miss Alcopop’s Black Mango Watermelon, Seongju Chamoe and Watermelon Ice Pop; Matcha Latte, with flash-frozen local herbs and a hand-cut ice diamond; and Journey, a concoction that maps a tomato’s global odyssey.

— Melinda Sheckells, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026

Definition of flash

Adjective

The bears seen in large urban centers and agricultural areas, like the southeastern corners of the state and parts of the western border, are generally transient, as those areas don't have enough woods to create a good habitat.

— Finch Walker, USA Today, 4 July 2026
The guest population is transient, with many checking in for short stays on their way in or out of town.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2026

Definition of transient

Adjective

Taylor, now in his 16th season out of Virginia Tech, is the only quarterback in NFL history with 10,000-plus passing yards, 2,000-plus rushing yards, 70-plus passing TDs, 20-plus rushing TDs and fewer than 35 interceptions.

— Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
The two groups aren’t just growing at different speeds—they’re moving apart with every passing year, and the absolute distance between them grows faster as both numbers get larger.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 June 2026

Definition of passing

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 church calls that holiday an alien import meant to destroy the Russian family, casting it as a celebration of fleeting passion rather than committed love.

— Diana Dukhanova, The Conversation, 6 July 2026

Definition of fleeting

Adjective

How his work embraces the ephemeral, how that is expressed in pieces made to last much longer than a season.

— Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
And most ephemeral but perhaps most affecting were the shows that say something about our country and culture through their nuanced and often allegorical storytelling.

— Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 29 June 2026

Definition of ephemeral

Browse Nearby Words

shortish

short-lived

shortly

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“Short-lived.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/short-lived. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of short-lived

adjective

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