short-term

adjective

ˈshȯrt-ˌtərm 

1

: occurring over or involving a relatively short period of time

2

a

: of, relating to, or constituting a financial operation or obligation based on a brief term and especially one of less than a year

b

: generated by assets held for less than six months

Synonyms of short-term

• temporary
• interim

Examples of short-term in a Sentence

this is only a short-term solution to a long-term problem

Recent Examples on the Web

Generation and storage, grids, and digital infrastructure all depend on capital that can look beyond short-term market conditions. — H.e. Dr Abdulla Saif Al Jarwan, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026

But when mandates or control measures are used as the main tool in a crisis response, a short-term impact can be difficult to sustain. — Raj Panjabi, STAT, 21 Oct. 2026

About 80% of the savings the district has achieved so far this year came from short-term solutions. — Chaewon Chung updated October 21, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Once renovations are complete, the project is expected to include restaurant and retail space, eight hotel rooms and eight multifamily residential units intended for both long-term and short-term occupancy. — Conor McGill, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for short-term

• affirm
• bookworm
• budworm
• confirm
• cutworm
• earthworm
• infirm
• midterm
• ringworm
• tapeworm
• wireworm
• angiosperm

Kids Definition

short-term

adjective

-ˈtərm

: short-range

short-term goals

Legal Definition

short term

noun

: short rate