EVANESCENT Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'evanescent' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of evanescent are ephemeral , fleeting , fugitive , momentary , transient , and transitory . While all these words mean "lasting or staying only a short time," evanescent suggests a quick vanishing and an airy or fragile quality. // the story has an evanescent touch of whimsy that is lost in translation

Q: Where would 'ephemeral' be a reasonable alternative to 'evanescent'?

The words ephemeral and evanescent can be used in similar contexts, but ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration. // many slang words are ephemeral

Q: How are the words 'fugitive' and 'fleeting' related as synonyms of 'evanescent'?

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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'momentary' instead of 'evanescent'?

In some situations, the words momentary and evanescent are roughly equivalent. However, 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

Q: In what contexts can 'transient' take the place of 'evanescent'?

The synonyms transient and evanescent are sometimes interchangeable, but transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay. // a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

Q: When is 'transitory' a more appropriate choice than 'evanescent'?

The words transitory and evanescent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

evanescent

adjective

ˌe-və-ˈne-sᵊnt

Definition of evanescent

as in flash

lasting only for a short time beauty that is as evanescent as a rainbow

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Some common synonyms of evanescent are ephemeral, fleeting, fugitive, momentary, transient, and transitory. While all these words mean "lasting or staying only a short time," evanescent suggests a quick vanishing and an airy or fragile quality.

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

Where would ephemeral be a reasonable alternative to evanescent?

The words ephemeral and evanescent can be used in similar contexts, but ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration.

many slang words are ephemeral

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

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 is it sensible to use momentary instead of evanescent?

In some situations, the words momentary and evanescent are roughly equivalent. However, 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 evanescent?

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

a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

When is transitory a more appropriate choice than evanescent?

The words transitory and evanescent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 evanescent 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 finished product is bright and evanescent, sweet but not too sweet, celebratory, fun, and delicious. — Erik Ofgang, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025 Sketches and blackouts are often evanescent, like an idea sketched on a cocktail napkin; some last only a few seconds yet might have been fiendishly complicated to prepare and execute. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2023 On the plus side are our memories, which elevate the evanescent pleasure of the meal to the longer-term reward of enjoyment. — Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 24 Nov. 2022 See All Example Sentences for evanescent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for evanescent

Adjective

Saturday's flash-flood event occurred after four rounds of rain swept across parts of the Grand Canyon over a span of about six hours, according to the National Weather Service.

— Trevor Ault, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
Missing hiker tip line The National Park Service is asking the public to provide information about 15 missing people after a significant flash-flood event in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of flash

Adjective

The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office declined to file charges, and Choudri returned to the railway agency after a brief leave of absence.

— Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Parton, known as the Queen of Country music, died after a brief battle with cancer.

— Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of brief

Adjective

There are a handful of college football players from the class of 2022 currently playing due to temporary restraining orders granted by judges, but hundreds of basketball players are fighting for their eligibility.

— CJ Moore, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Eight years until the Salt Lake Olympics could provide Amtrak a runway to reestablishing temporary service, but even that timeline could be tight, Clegg said.

— Rose Evans September 15, Idaho Statesman, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of temporary

Adjective

According to the company, its grid-forming control strategy can maintain stable operation across an SCR range of 1 to 40, while also helping mitigate transient overvoltage.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
The goal Dowman scored against Everton last season, to clinch a 2-0 victory in the closing minutes, would have been special had it been scored by some transient loanee who had come and gone within weeks.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of transient

Adjective

Even if Goedert is healthy, a complementary tight end who can help in the passing game would be a sensible upgrade.

— Zach Berman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
If Taron Johnson and the secondary hold up against complex passing schemes, the unit should take a noticeable leap in efficiency.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of passing

Adjective

Cook’s fleeting third down usage Without Ty Johnson available due to a hamstring injury, the Bills smartly wanted to see if their top rusher, James Cook, could stay on the field for third downs.

— Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
For a fleeting moment, the Arab Spring seemed to offer an escape from the bleak logic that had dominated the previous decade.

— Ayman M. Mohyeldin, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of fleeting

Adjective

The Leipzig scenes are both ephemeral and integral; later, Taro will speculate that if the Germans had had the same revolutionary zeal as the Spanish, Hitler might have been defeated.

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026
Viral memes and videos are often good for only ephemeral dopamine hits, but leave the elixir to the humor and talent of the Gregory Brothers, a longtime musical quartet.

— Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of ephemeral

Adjective

Since his confirmation earlier this year, the central bank has split further on whether inflation is truly transitory; last month’s decision to keep rates steady resulted in the most dissents since 1970.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
That all prices – high and low – are transitory is tautological.

— John Tamny, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of transitory

Browse Nearby Words

evanescence

evanescent

evanesces

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“Evanescent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/evanescent. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of evanescent

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