impermanence

noun

im·​per·​ma·​nence (ˌ)im-ˈpər-mə-nən(t)s How to pronounce impermanence (audio)
-ˈpərm-
: the quality or state of being impermanent

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
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.
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 See All Example Sentences for impermanence

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of impermanence was in 1796

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Cite this Entry

“Impermanence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impermanence. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

impermanence

noun
im·​per·​ma·​nence (ˈ)im-ˈpərm(-ə)-nən(t)s How to pronounce impermanence (audio)
: the quality or state of being impermanent
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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