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

The charm offensive seemed to work, at least momentarily. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 29 Nov. 2025

To counteract overstimulation and get sensory rest, Dalton-Smith recommends closing your eyes momentarily, using noise-canceling headphones, or, if possible, spending a few minutes alone in a dark, quiet room. —Ruchika T. Malhotra, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2025

Belknap handed the family a list of immigration advocacy group resources on their way inside, and the family’s worried expressions momentarily lifted, shifting into smiles. —Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 23 Nov. 2025

Families reconnected, neighbors embraced, and the strip, so long defined by loss and destruction, felt momentarily whole. —Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2025

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