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

Yet many of those instances have sparked debate about the wisdom of using the reserves for short-term, political reasons. —Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026

Administration officials have similarly framed rising oil and pump prices as a short-term problem. —Tristan Bove, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026

Some raised prices beyond the tariff itself because working capital costs rose — tariffs must be paid before goods are sold, tightening cash flow and often requiring short-term borrowing. —Sara Albrecht, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026

Continue reading … PUMP PANIC — White House says oil price spike 'short-term' as Iran conflict roils energy markets. —FOXNews.com, 9 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for short-term

• affirm
• bookworm
• confirm
• cutworm
• earthworm
• infirm
• midterm
• tapeworm
• wireworm
• angiosperm
• echinoderm
• berm

Kids Definition

short-term

adjective

-ˈtərm

: short-range

short-term goals

Legal Definition

short term

noun

: short rate