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

The bank said last week's hawkish Federal Open Market Committee meeting has increased uncertainty over the outlook for short-term interest rates, even as lower oil prices have eased concerns about an economic downturn. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 23 June 2026

But that was little comfort to tech investors, who are concerned that short-term inflation will increase the debt burden of mega-cap companies that have borrowed large amounts of money to fund their artificial intelligence infrastructure. — Rob Wile, NBC news, 22 June 2026

For the past year, the Miami Herald has been digging into the clash between residents at Brickell Bay and tourists vacationing in short-term rental units owned by investors — units that violate the city of Miami’s ban on Airbnbs in multifamily residential buildings. — Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 22 June 2026

True competitive advantage belongs to leaders who refuse to sacrifice long-term development for short-term applause. — Melissa Dawn Simkins, Fortune, 22 June 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