fleeting

adjective fleet·ing \ ˈflē-tiŋ \

|Updated on: 8 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: fleeting in a Sentence

Definition of fleeting

: passing swiftly : transitory

… the often fleeting nature of fame and fortune …
—Tom Sinclair

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fleetingly

play \ˈflē-tiŋ-lē\ adverb

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fleetingness

noun

See fleeting defined for English-language learners

See fleeting defined for kids

Examples of fleeting in a Sentence

I caught a fleeting glimpse of the comet.
had a fleeting desire to jump into the cool lake but kept on hiking

Recent Examples of fleeting from the Web

This synchronicity is also evident in the way that the couple encourage those who stay at Casa Iris to become, if only for a fleeting moment, at one with the world around them.

— mark holgate, Vogue, "In Southern Tuscany, a New B&B Shared a Renovation Team With the Sistine Chapel," 30 May 2018
The fleeting moment caught on camera was one of the rare occasions during Trump's presidency - outside of his leisurely golf outings - where there was photographic evidence of him engaging in exercise.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Trump, fast-food lover and exercise avoider, tells nation about importance of fitness," 30 May 2018
The fleeting moment caught on camera was one of the rare occasions during Trump's presidency — outside of his leisurely golf outings — where there was photographic evidence of him engaging in exercise.

— william wan, chicagotribune.com, "Trump, fast-food lover and exercise avoider, tells nation about importance of fitness," 30 May 2018
There were times in my adult life when this happened before, without any assistance: strange, fleeting moments of transcendence.

— andrew sullivan, Daily Intelligencer, "Why We Should Say Yes to Drugs," 25 May 2018
For a fleeting moment, sipping rose as the polo ponies rumbled by, we were transported to another time and place, taking in the sport of kings.

— anthony flint, BostonGlobe.com, "For an otherworldly splurge, beach polo at the Ocean House," 16 May 2018
Making invaluable, if infrequent, contributions to a winning team while the fleeting chance is there is arguably better than playing every game for an average or poor side.

— SI.com, "Why Marouane Fellaini Is Worth His Expected New Man Utd Contract After Sudden U-Turn," 30 Apr. 2018
Target's latest beauty move confirms the focus on diversity in beauty isn't just a fleeting trend.

— macaela mackenzie, Allure, "Target Just Added 8 Makeup Brands For Dark Skin Tones to Its Stores," 17 Apr. 2018
Brinson, a Coral Springs High alum acquired in the trade with the Brewers for Christian Yelich, has shown the ability to make hard contact such as Sunday's blast in fleeting moments throughout his first 44 games as a Marlin.

— andre c. fernandez, miamiherald, "Despite debacle, first career grand slam shows Marlins this rookie’s power potential," 20 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fleeting.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of fleeting

1563

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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fleeting Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of fleeting

transient, transitory, ephemeral, momentary, fugitive, fleeting, evanescent mean lasting or staying only a short time. transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay.