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

Unlike earlier rebounds, when traders mainly bet on short-term price gains, investors are now paying for exposure to bitcoin gains further into the future. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026

Even with more relative capacity, Linerlytica said the current port disruptions and the recent backlogs at the Panama Canal have created a short-term shortage of vessels that continues to lift freight rates. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026

Many are still living in temporary conditions, at hotels and short-term rentals, both inside the United States and in other parts of the world. — Steve Walsh, NPR, 24 Aug. 2026

As employers exercise their freedom to execute short-term adjustments in headcount, workers will have to assume more accountability for building long-term careers out of each assignment and every experience. — Noah Yosif, Fortune, 24 Aug. 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