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

Los Angeles gave up three promising prospects for what might be a short-term rental of the 29-year-old Skubal, who will likely reap the benefits of free agency this winter. — ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

The short-term goal is to host performances by local country acts each month. — Deasia Paige, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Faced with the choice between offering some protections to a group of sympathetic or vulnerable immigrants and offering none at all, Presidents have again and again acted with short-term compassion. — Dara Lind, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

The average path of such busts would take that to $41 in a year, after some short-term recovery. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 10 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