Synonym Chooser

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 The Liberation Day gambit was a minor and transitory phenomenon compared to the vast scale and importance of the Treasury market. George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025 The city’s inherent transitory nature means there’s always a flow of people coming and going, both domestically and internationally, which makes D.C. ripe for this kind of quiet space for a meeting, political or otherwise. William Goodman, Robb Report, 1 May 2025 Economists who initially expected price increases to be transitory were surprised at inflationary pressures that lingered for years. Ana Swanson, New York Times, 1 May 2025 The Trump administration’s assurance that the American economy will experience a transitory period is a promise greatly supported by America’s leading Technology and Information sector. Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for transitory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for transitory
Adjective
  • Save any receipts for building materials, cleanup supplies, temporary housing, replacement costs for clothing and home goods, and food costs. File a claim with FEMA Kerr County residents can start making those claims because that area has been declared a federal disaster area.
    Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 13 July 2025
  • The board also gave Superintendent Stokes temporary authority to hire new staff members because the board doesn’t have a meeting before school starts.
    Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025
Adjective
  • Don’t let the lack of flash fool you — this guy is the real deal.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The German figures come a day before the scheduled release of flash inflation data for the euro area, which will be closely watched by investors for guidance on the odds of another interest rate cut from the European Central Bank.
    Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • After earning a reputation as a tackling machine at Syracuse, Clark signed with the Cowboys and quickly saw some brief work with the first-team unit during minicamp while Wilson was sidelined.
    Nick Harris July 11, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2025
  • Consider what those two third graders learned in their brief hallway squabble.
    Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • And while Riemens had a transient lifestyle and was planning a trip to visit family in Michigan just before his disappearance, finding his truck at a nearby store quickly cast suspicion.
    Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
  • Spring Hill has the lowest transient guest rate in Johnson County at 4%.
    Taylor O’Connor, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • Key for energy stocks has been a drop in crude prices, despite a fleeting uptick in June as conflict in the Middle East dominated headlines.
    Matt Ward-Perkins, CNBC, 14 July 2025
  • The coordination involved in creating this disposable party favor, for the fleeting delight of millionaires, was just one of a thousand details that Vanity Fair devoted to each year’s extravaganza.
    Michael Grynbaum, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • With each passing year, the evidence mounts that 2005 was more good fortune than anything else.
    Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • With every passing year, evidence can get lost, witnesses can die, memories can fade.
    Dateline NBC, NBC news, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • As last week’s debate on the sprawling GOP budget bill demonstrated, the two parties have refused to downsize their legislative ambitions to these systematically smaller and more ephemeral majorities.
    Ronald Brownstein, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
  • The findings offer a compelling response to Crick’s dilemma, reconciling the discordant timescales to explain how ephemeral molecules maintain memories that last a lifetime.
    Ajdina Halilovic, Wired News, 6 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Transitory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/transitory. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.

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