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

Too many executives have been able to disregard the recommendations of their sustainability colleagues, finding ways of delaying difficult but inevitable decisions and avoiding short-term pain at the cost of longer-term gain. — Johannes Teyssen, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026

Generally, short-term consumer borrowing rates closely follow the Fed's benchmark, while longer-term loans are tied to the yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which also recently hit its highest levels in 19 years. — Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026

Inflation has remained so stubbornly high that the Federal Reserve raised its short-term interest rate last week for the first time in three years in hopes of slowing down increases in the cost of living. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Joanne wrote about how John regained his short-term memory, and even his snark and humor. — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 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