TRANSITORY Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of transitory are ephemeral , evanescent , fleeting , fugitive , momentary , and transient . While all these words mean "lasting or staying only a short time," 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

Q: When could 'ephemeral' be used to replace 'transitory'?

Although the words ephemeral and transitory have much in common, ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration. // many slang words are ephemeral

Q: When is 'evanescent' a more appropriate choice than 'transitory'?

The meanings of evanescent and transitory largely overlap; 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: How do 'fugitive' and 'fleeting' relate to one another, in the sense of 'transitory'?

Both 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 would 'momentary' be a good substitute for 'transitory'?

While in some cases nearly identical to transitory , 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: In what contexts can 'transient' take the place of 'transitory'?

While the synonyms transient and transitory are close in meaning, transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay. // a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

transitory

adjective

ˈtran(t)-sə-ˌtȯr-ē

Definition of transitory

as in temporary

lasting only for a short time a transitory panic struck me when I realized that I had left my wallet in the car

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Some common synonyms of transitory are ephemeral, evanescent, fleeting, fugitive, momentary, and transient. While all these words mean "lasting or staying only a short time," 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

When could ephemeral be used to replace transitory?

Although the words ephemeral and transitory have much in common, ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration.

many slang words are ephemeral

When is evanescent a more appropriate choice than transitory?

The meanings of evanescent and transitory largely overlap; 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

How do fugitive and fleeting relate to one another, in the sense of transitory?

Both 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 would momentary be a good substitute for transitory?

While in some cases nearly identical to transitory, 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

In what contexts can transient take the place of transitory?

While the synonyms transient and transitory are close in meaning, transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay.

a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

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 transitory Leonardo Ferragamo continues to serve as chair, overseeing the transitory period. — Maliha Shoaib, Vogue, 14 May 2026 Yet even after the events have ended, the economic boost from the World Cup, Super Bowl and March Madness might wind up being only transitory. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 7 June 2026 In June of that year, as the Fed pivoted off its transitory-inflation stance, the team used its quarterly investor call to lay out the changes coming to its investment and property management approach. — Nia Bowers, USA Today, 25 June 2026 Christopher Thornberg, founding partner at Beacon Economics, believes the higher inflation numbers are a transitory (temporary) shock, and not a sustained one. — Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for transitory

Recent Examples of Synonyms for transitory

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

Things settled down quickly after that, though the brief dustup ended with Contreras, Boston interim manager Chad Tracy, Boston outfielder Nate Eaton and Mikolas being ejected.

— CBS News, CBS News, 1 July 2026
The ordinance marks a brief respite in the monthslong scramble to adapt to the broad changes brought by SB 79.

— Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of brief

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

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

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

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

transitoriness

transitory

transits

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“Transitory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/transitory. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of transitory

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