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 Yet the countess’s greatest achievements may have resided in the ephemeral realm of fashion. Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 25 July 2025 Agenda items that receive support from the electorate and in Parliament can take years to enact, and by then the country’s famously ephemeral governments often have changed. Massimo Calabresi, Time, 24 July 2025 During a pre-Open sit-down with reporters last week, Scheffler mused on the ephemeral nature of victory, wondering aloud at his own drive to collect trophies. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 23 July 2025 The velocity and complexity of systems scaling across ephemeral microservices, complex APIs and sprawling hybrid clouds demand a new paradigm. Anusha Nerella, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for ephemeral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ephemeral
Adjective
  • Focus now shifts to Thursday’s weekly jobless claims numbers and S&P Global’s flash PMI data to gauge economic health in the wake of tariff uncertainties.
    Reuters, NBC news, 23 July 2025
  • Thursday's weekly jobless claims numbers and S&P Global's flash PMI data will be closely assessed to gauge economic health in the wake of tariff uncertainties.
    Nikhil Sharma, USA Today, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • Considering that the workplace is multi-generational, a range of benefits—from pet insurance to temporary part-time status to mental health coaching—could serve them best.
    Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Trump also reversed his support for a ceasefire and instead is seeking a peace agreement after the meeting with Putin, who has long said Moscow is not interested in a temporary truce and is looking for a long-term settlement that supports the Kremlin’s interests.
    Landon Mion , Lucas Y. Tomlinson, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Millions of years ago, the environment there was still dominated by a dry season, but it was interrupted by a brief wet season.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2025
  • After a brief evaluation, he was escorted by a trainer off the sideline and into the Dolphins’ locker room.
    David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Removing transient motel rooms was critical to the pivot.
    Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Her life felt transient, moving from Chicago; to Topanga, Calif.; to New Zealand, while her dad shot Peter Jackson’s 2005 King Kong film; and then to Dripping Springs, Texas, just 20 minutes outside of Austin proper.
    EW.com, EW.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In my experience, most consumers favor brands that prioritize authenticity and relatable experiences over those following fleeting trends.
    Michele Zanello, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Yet appearances in pre-season were fleeting, with injury also ruling him out of the 1-0 defeat by Roma on Saturday.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • But like a spring that becomes more tightly wound with each passing year, this can quietly lay the groundwork for a violent recoil.
    Lisa Oake, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2025
  • That means with each passing year, an increasing proportion of seniors have been reaching those low thresholds and paying taxes on their benefits.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Analysts believe the headwinds at its crown jewel aerospace division will be transitory.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 28 July 2025
  • The impact of tariffs is transitory, and quite small relative to the size of the economy.
    George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 17 July 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 22 Aug. 2025.

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