as in transience
the state or quality of lasting only for a short time
the ancient Roman ruins are a telling reminder of the impermanence of even the grandest man-made constructions
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Recent Examples of impermanence
Othello review: Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal shine in an otherwise shaky production
Before long, Henry has dripped poison in Dorian's ear — warning him of his beauty's impermanence — while Basil's unchanging snapshot of his youth has evoked a bitter envy in the impressionable young man.
—
Shania Russell, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
The film’s exploration of impermanence, moral duty and the pursuit of meaning contributes to anime’s broader legacy as a medium that entertains while provoking deep philosophical reflection.
—Ronald S. Green, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2025
As the ground becomes submerged and then reappears, water-logged, altered yet resilient, so too Munir rises from his inner darkness, still carrying the burden of exile but able to continue his existence, more accepting of his impermanence in light of a greater concept of home.
—Jay D. Weissberg, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2025
But as a Zen teacher, Miller has spent decades contemplating the impermanence of life.
—Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impermanence
Shania Russell, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
The film’s exploration of impermanence, moral duty and the pursuit of meaning contributes to anime’s broader legacy as a medium that entertains while provoking deep philosophical reflection.
—Ronald S. Green, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2025
As the ground becomes submerged and then reappears, water-logged, altered yet resilient, so too Munir rises from his inner darkness, still carrying the burden of exile but able to continue his existence, more accepting of his impermanence in light of a greater concept of home.
—Jay D. Weissberg, Deadline, 19 Feb. 2025
But as a Zen teacher, Miller has spent decades contemplating the impermanence of life.
—Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impermanence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impermanence
Noun
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Also memorable is an earlier image while still in Hamburg, in Sarah’s apartment, where the passing trains through the window underline the overall feeling of transience.—
Jay D. Weissberg,
Deadline,
19 Feb. 2025
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The transience of childhood gives way to a permanence that defines adulthood.—
Rick Tumlinson,
Space.com,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Through that love and care, and ephemerality and movement over permanence and rigidity.—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
3 Mar. 2025
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Perhaps the most beautiful thing about these sweets are their ephemerality.—
Caroline Newton,
Bon Appétit,
12 Dec. 2024
Noun
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But transiency in the back of the bullpen extends well beyond Woodward’s arrival.—
Dallas News,
Dallas News,
27 July 2022
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The council will hold a workshop outlining strategies and efforts to remedy homelessness and transiency in the city.—
Laura Groch,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2021
Noun
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To explain why a gag is funny is to crush its soufflé evanescence.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
TIME,
19 Mar. 2025
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The Stranger with its exploration of another facet of exile and belonging, this time set on a flood-prone German island that exists in a perpetual struggle between evanescence and permanence.—
Jay D. Weissberg,
Deadline,
19 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impermanence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impermanence. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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