the long term
noun
: a long period of time after the beginning of something
She is investing for the long term.
I think it's the better choice over the long term.
an investment that should do well in the long term
These changes may improve profits now, but they are going to cost us money in the long term.
Examples of the long term in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But centrists responded by arguing that sparking a civil war over reopening the government wouldn’t help the Democratic Party in the long term.
—
Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2025
Similarly, Rita Choula, the senior director of caregiving at the AARP Public Policy Institute, says early preparation pays off in the long term.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 5 Nov. 2025
Dieting doesn’t work over the long term Dieting is also largely unhelpful, Erlanger noted.
—CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Kober said the program saves the department money in the long term.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the long term
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Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2025
Similarly, Rita Choula, the senior director of caregiving at the AARP Public Policy Institute, says early preparation pays off in the long term.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 5 Nov. 2025
Dieting doesn’t work over the long term Dieting is also largely unhelpful, Erlanger noted.
—CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Kober said the program saves the department money in the long term.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the long term
Cite this Entry
“The long term.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20long%20term. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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