the short term
noun
: a short period of time at the beginning of something
It will meet our needs, at least for the short term.
His plan has advantages over the short term.
—usually used in the phrase in the short termIt won't make any difference in the short term.
These changes may improve profits in the short term, but they are going to cost us money in the long term.
Examples of the short term in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The money was a lifeline in the short term and devastating over time.
—
Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Keep in mind that this is only true in the short term.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025
The Paris Agreement goals are based on long-term average temperatures, Olhoff explained, and in some scenarios the world might overshoot those targets in the short term but still be able to draw down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere if new emissions are eliminated.
—Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Nevertheless, hybrid systems combining batteries with hydrogen backup cells may offer a middle path in the short term.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the short term
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Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Keep in mind that this is only true in the short term.
—Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 6 Nov. 2025
The Paris Agreement goals are based on long-term average temperatures, Olhoff explained, and in some scenarios the world might overshoot those targets in the short term but still be able to draw down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere if new emissions are eliminated.
—Jeff Young, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Nevertheless, hybrid systems combining batteries with hydrogen backup cells may offer a middle path in the short term.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the short term
Cite this Entry
“The short term.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20short%20term. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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