momentary

1 of 2

adjective

mo·​men·​tary ˈmō-mən-ˌter-ē 

1

a

: continuing only a moment : fleeting

a momentarypause

b

: having a very brief life

2

: operative or recurring at every moment

momentariness noun

momentariness

2 of 2

noun

mo·​men·​tar·​i·​ness

ˈmōmən‧ˌterēnə̇s

plural -es

: the quality or state of being momentary

the freshness and momentariness of intense life

—C. E. Montague

Synonyms of momentary

Adjective

• flash
• brief
• temporary
• transient
• passing
• fleeting

Choose the Right Synonym for momentary

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.

a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

transitory applies to what is by its nature or essence bound to change, pass, or come to an end.

fame in the movies is transitory

ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration.

many slang words are ephemeral

momentary suggests coming and going quickly and therefore being merely a brief interruption of a more enduring state.

my feelings of guilt were only momentary

fugitive and fleeting imply passing so quickly as to make apprehending difficult.

let a fugitive smile flit across his face

fleeting moments of joy

evanescent suggests a quick vanishing and an airy or fragile quality.

the story has an evanescent touch of whimsy that is lost in translation

Examples of momentary in a Sentence

Adjective

He experienced a momentary loss of consciousness.

the pain of the flu shot was only momentary

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The largest comeback in Finals history was capped by a fitting momentary lapse of judgment. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 12 June 2026

The National Weather Service offered up a momentary refresher Wednesday as the thermometer began its vertical move and public safety officials urged caution against the heat and fire danger. —Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 10 June 2026

But this was more than a momentary decision, or an opportunity that just dropped from the sky. —Nate Atkins, New York Times, 3 June 2026

Over 29 days, WHM practitioners showed greater momentary improvements in energy, mental clarity and stress handling than a mindfulness meditation group. —Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for momentary

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• apiary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• bacillary
• beriberi
• bestiary
• breviary
• budgetary

Kids Definition

momentary

adjective

mo·​men·​tary ˈmō-mən-ˌter-ē 

: lasting only a moment