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

Oil prices jumped after the impact of the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran expanded beyond Gulf states, offering short-term fiscal relief for African crude producers while raising fresh inflation risks for the continent’s fuel importers. —Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 2 Mar. 2026

While short-term pullbacks are always possible, gold's role as a store of value hasn't faded. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026

War is likely to boost the dollar’s short-term value as a reserve currency but may accelerate its longer-term decline amid economic concerns and other countries’ desire to reduce their dependence on the currency of a hostile and increasingly rogue trading partner. —Diane Brady, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026

Some homeowners may choose to protest to lower their long-term tax burden, even if short-term savings are limited. —Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 2 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