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
In the long term, Dynex sees quantum computing becoming central to the AI field.
—
Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Ultimately making the right decision at a slightly more expensive purchase price would be the better decision for the long term.
—Morgan Korn, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2025
Of course, this means that over the long term, investing in stocks has yielded higher returns compared to investing in bonds.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2025
On the other hand, just 5 percent said tariffs would decrease prices in the short term, and 30 percent said the policy would lower prices in the long term.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the long term
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Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Ultimately making the right decision at a slightly more expensive purchase price would be the better decision for the long term.
—Morgan Korn, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2025
Of course, this means that over the long term, investing in stocks has yielded higher returns compared to investing in bonds.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2025
On the other hand, just 5 percent said tariffs would decrease prices in the short term, and 30 percent said the policy would lower prices in the long term.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 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 3 May. 2025.
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