impermanence

noun

im·​per·​ma·​nence (ˌ)im-ˈpər-mə-nən(t)s 

-ˈpərm-

: the quality or state of being impermanent

Synonyms

• transience
• temporariness
• shortness
• transitoriness
• ephemerality
• transiency
• evanescence
• impermanency
• fleetingness
• momentariness

Examples of impermanence in a Sentence

the ancient Roman ruins are a telling reminder of the impermanence of even the grandest man-made constructions

Recent Examples on the Web

He had been introduced to the practice by Love, a fellow writer and spiritual seeker, but didn’t pursue it in earnest until after Love’s death, when its concepts of nonattachment and impermanence provided solace. —Maggie Doherty, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025

This sense of musical object impermanence is tied directly to the kind of preemptive doubt that Young expressed, and that Roan was effectively threatened with. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2025

The impermanence of our digital footprint, especially in this age of AI scraping and incomplete catalog streaming, is distorting our story. —Rodney Carmichael, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025

Does daily contact with death heighten their awareness of life’s impermanence? —Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for impermanence

• permanence

Kids Definition

impermanence

noun

im·​per·​ma·​nence (ˈ)im-ˈpərm(-ə)-nən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being impermanent