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 When Bob sends an encrypted message, his browser connects to the key server and obtains an ephemeral symmetric encryption key. Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 3 Apr. 2025 Kahle, who early on recognized the ephemeral nature of the web, said the rapid deterioration of the living web is a serious threat to historical preservation. Emma Bowman, NPR, 23 Mar. 2025 After the task is completed, ephemeral agents can be terminated, freeing compute resources. Evan J. Schwartz, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025 The project gained the U.K. musician a cult following eager for even the smallest hints of new music — often delivered in the form of ephemeral snippets posted and then quickly deleted on Jim’s TikTok. Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ephemeral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ephemeral
Adjective
  • Don’t let the lack of flash fool you — this guy is the real deal.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The German figures come a day before the scheduled release of flash inflation data for the euro area, which will be closely watched by investors for guidance on the odds of another interest rate cut from the European Central Bank.
    Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • Fears of a slide back towards authoritarian rule were hardened by a temporary constitution focusing power in his hands.
    Tom Perry, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • The 25-year-old singer has gotten a temporary restraining order against her ex-boyfriend and baby Halo’s father due to alleged physical and verbal abuse.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • Based on specs and my brief time with the phone, this is the biggest drawback.
    Iyaz Akhtar, PC Magazine, 13 May 2025
  • In 2013, Erdogan worked with the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) on the brief peace process with the PKK.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • The premise established in Season 1 has Charlie fleeing from the mob, which is another reason for her transient life on the road.
    Nina Metz Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 8 May 2025
  • The hotel room fees known as transient occupancy tax or TOT, are anticipated to climb about 2.7% to $17 million.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 May 2025
Adjective
  • But they were only meant to be fleeting. Italiano’s predecessor, Thiago Motta, left for Juventus last summer.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 15 May 2025
  • Digging deeper, Centric’s intelligence interpreted that evergreen items have longer-lasting appeal than fleeting trends, thus justifying the high white tee price hike.
    Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • But with every passing hour that a patient waits for treatment or for labor to start, the risk of sepsis increases.
    Kavitha Surana, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
  • In many ways, this village felt as if it was frozen in time, only a ringing clocktower bell served as a reminder of every passing hour.
    Daria Bachmann, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • Economists who initially expected price increases to be transitory were surprised at inflationary pressures that lingered for years.
    Ana Swanson, New York Times, 1 May 2025
  • The Trump administration’s assurance that the American economy will experience a transitory period is a promise greatly supported by America’s leading Technology and Information sector.
    Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Ephemeral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ephemeral. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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