momentarily

adverb

mo·​men·​tar·​i·​ly ˌmō-mən-ˈter-ə-lē 

1

: for a moment

The rain stopped momentarily.

2

archaic : instantly

3

: at any moment : in a moment

The show will start momentarily.

Synonyms of momentarily

• shortly
• soon

Examples of momentarily in a Sentence

The wind let up momentarily, allowing us to start a campfire.

He paused momentarily before finishing his speech.

We expect them to arrive momentarily.

Recent Examples on the Web

After staying face-down on the ice momentarily, he was helped off and never returned. —CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026

His biggest play came early in the workout, when Kinnard took a handoff and disappeared momentarily amid the crush of players at the line of scrimmage before bursting through the middle and running for a 64-yard touchdown. —Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026

While staff were momentarily stunned by the sheer volume of the steal, the suspect took advantage of the distraction, untangling himself from the struggle and bolting for the exit before police could arrive. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026

And in the enfacement illusion, people can momentarily experience another face as their own. —Utkarsh Gupta, Scientific American, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for momentarily

• arbitrarily
• customarily
• militarily
• necessarily
• ordinarily
• secondarily
• temporarily
• voluntarily
• airily
• caroli
• merrily
• verily

Kids Definition

momentarily

adverb

mo·​men·​tari·​ly

ˌmō-mən-ˈter-ə-lē

1

: for a moment

the pain eased momentarily

2

archaic : instantly

3

: at any moment

we expect them momentarily