Synonym Chooser

How is the word ephemeral different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of ephemeral are evanescent, fleeting, fugitive, momentary, transient, and transitory. While all these words mean "lasting or staying only a short time," ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration.

many slang words are ephemeral

When would evanescent be a good substitute for ephemeral?

The words evanescent and ephemeral are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, evanescent suggests a quick vanishing and an airy or fragile quality.

the story has an evanescent touch of whimsy that is lost in translation

How are the words fugitive and fleeting related as synonyms of ephemeral?

Both fugitive and fleeting imply passing so quickly as to make apprehending difficult.

let a fugitive smile flit across his face
fleeting moments of joy

When could momentary be used to replace ephemeral?

The words momentary and ephemeral can be used in similar contexts, but momentary suggests coming and going quickly and therefore being merely a brief interruption of a more enduring state.

my feelings of guilt were only momentary

In what contexts can transient take the place of ephemeral?

The synonyms transient and ephemeral are sometimes interchangeable, but transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay.

a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

When can transitory be used instead of ephemeral?

In some situations, the words transitory and ephemeral are roughly equivalent. However, transitory applies to what is by its nature or essence bound to change, pass, or come to an end.

fame in the movies is transitory

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ephemeral Various cultures interpreted the ephemeral aberrations as fairies, ghosts or spirits. Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2025 However, the ephemeral nature of trends has hindered people from finding ways to heal their skin and hair in the most natural ways possible. Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025 The solution is zero standing privilege with ephemeral access, ensuring users get just-in-time rights only when needed. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 Embellishments are cropping up not just in contemporary furnishings but in ephemeral accessories. Adrian Madlener, Curbed, 13 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ephemeral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ephemeral
Adjective
  • And many supermarkets offer bags of flash-frozen cranberries year-round.
    Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 13 Oct. 2025
  • What To Know A map shared by the NWS on Facebook showed a broad corridor of flash-flood risk spanning the Western states and Southern Plains.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Holiday shipping increases have gone into effect, with temporary increases expected to last until early January.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
  • The sudden increase from last week appears to be a result of a Midwest refinery outage that prompted a temporary evacuation of the BP plant in Whiting, Indiana, but is now over, and the jump at the pump may turn out to be more of a spike than an upward trend.
    Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Weigert, 56, left Tracker after season 1, and like Sunday’s episode, her absence was also explained within the show during a brief conversation in season 2.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The politically motivated preemption of the late-night program following host Jimmy Kimmel's brief remarks regarding the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk drove a massive wave of Disney+ subscription cancellations, a new report from the research firm Antenna shows, per The New York Times.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Chelsea shared on her Instagram Stories that the toddler had developed transient synovitis from a viral infection.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Using fractional diffusion theory, the research deepens understanding of transient charging behaviors in complex materials, which is key to designing high-performance components used for advanced engineering electrochemical systems in general.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Bryan Mbeumo put the issue beyond fleeting doubt after that in Saturday’s 4-2 defeat via further self-destruction, a loose ball into midfield by Milner.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
  • High penetration, flat pricing, and fleeting loyalty demand a new path forward.
    Astha Bhardwaj, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Some duties will fall on Gonzales, but the passing game will funnel through quarterback coach Ryan O’Hara, not offensive coordinator Russ Callaway.
    Noah White, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The Philadelphia Eagles' offense definitely appeared to right the ship against the Minnesota Vikings this past Sunday, at least as far as the passing game was concerned.
    Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The White House says American consumer strain will be transitory.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
  • This is not a brand that’s transitory.
    Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Still, this is evanescent stuff, hardly weighty enough to get mad about with respect to the aforementioned problematic areas.
    Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
  • The benefits of being a statesman, analysts say, can be evanescent if domestic woes keep piling up.
    Mark Landler, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Ephemeral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ephemeral. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ephemeral

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!