FLEETING Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of fleeting are ephemeral , evanescent , fugitive , momentary , transient , and transitory . While all these words mean "lasting or staying only a short time," 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: In what contexts can 'ephemeral' take the place of 'fleeting'?

The words ephemeral and fleeting are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration. // many slang words are ephemeral

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

While the synonyms evanescent and fleeting are close in meaning, 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: When is it sensible to use 'momentary' instead of 'fleeting'?

The synonyms momentary and fleeting are sometimes interchangeable, 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

Q: When might 'transient' be a better fit than 'fleeting'?

The meanings of transient and fleeting largely overlap; however, 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 'fleeting'?

The words transitory and fleeting can be used in similar contexts, but 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

fleeting

adjective

ˈflē-tiŋ

Definition of fleeting next

as in flash

lasting only for a short time had a fleeting desire to jump into the cool lake but kept on hiking

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of fleeting are ephemeral, evanescent, fugitive, momentary, transient, and transitory. While all these words mean "lasting or staying only a short time," fugitive and fleeting imply passing so quickly as to make apprehending difficult.

let a fugitive smile flit across his face

fleeting moments of joy

In what contexts can ephemeral take the place of fleeting?

The words ephemeral and fleeting are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration.

many slang words are ephemeral

Where would evanescent be a reasonable alternative to fleeting?

While the synonyms evanescent and fleeting are close in meaning, evanescent suggests a quick vanishing and an airy or fragile quality.

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

When is it sensible to use momentary instead of fleeting?

The synonyms momentary and fleeting are sometimes interchangeable, 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

When might transient be a better fit than fleeting?

The meanings of transient and fleeting largely overlap; however, 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 fleeting?

The words transitory and fleeting can be used in similar contexts, but 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 fleeting Reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn’s simple 1950s style, capris are a classic piece that won’t be fleeting like other timely trends. —

Emma Greene, InStyle, 26 June 2026 Now the team enters the do-or-die knockouts that will determine whether its hot start on home turf will be sustained, or remembered as a two-week outlier that fueled fleeting excitement. —

Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 June 2026 Amid the longstanding estrangement, the Duke of Sussex has had only fleeting physical contact with his father (two brief meetings over tea) while Meghan has not been in the same room as any members of the royal family since 2022. —

Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 Daniela FaceTimes her dad to show him her new, however fleeting, look. —

Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fleeting

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fleeting

Adjective

In fact, the weather service said that more than 50% of flash-flood deaths happen in vehicles driven into floodwaters.

— Doyle Rice, USA Today, 16 June 2026
Don’t miss Alcopop’s Black Mango Watermelon, Seongju Chamoe and Watermelon Ice Pop; Matcha Latte, with flash-frozen local herbs and a hand-cut ice diamond; and Journey, a concoction that maps a tomato’s global odyssey.

— Melinda Sheckells, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026

Definition of flash

Adjective

Things settled down quickly after that, though the brief dustup ended with Contreras, Boston interim manager Chad Tracy, Boston outfielder Nate Eaton and Mikolas being ejected.

— CBS News, CBS News, 1 July 2026
The ordinance marks a brief respite in the monthslong scramble to adapt to the broad changes brought by SB 79.

— Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of brief

Adjective

In a city celebrated for artworks that have survived for centuries, this installation was very nearly too transient.

— Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
The true horizon of value creation requires a longer-term play—one that prioritizes physical AI and hardware-heavy infrastructure over the transient cycles of digital-only applications.

— Alexandra Vidyuk, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

Definition of transient

Adjective

The Krewe of Gemini, a Mardi Gras organization in the Shreveport-Bossier community of which Watson, his wife and one of their daughters were members, also mourned his passing Wednesday.

— Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026
Moore was a consistent presence for Young in the passing game during OTAs with McMillan (foot) sidelined.

— Mike Kaye June 16, Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2026

Definition of passing

Adjective

Yet even after the events have ended, the economic boost from the World Cup, Super Bowl and March Madness might wind up being only transitory.

— George Avalos, Mercury News, 7 June 2026
Christopher Thornberg, founding partner at Beacon Economics, believes the higher inflation numbers are a transitory (temporary) shock, and not a sustained one.

— Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 26 May 2026

Definition of transitory

Adjective

An ephemeral encryption key is created during each system start and isn’t accessible by software.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 22 June 2026
To ensure that peonies bloom to their full potential, here are peony expert recommendations for fertilizing peonies, as well as other tips to extend the blooming season of these gorgeous yet ephemeral flowers.

— Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 12 June 2026

Definition of ephemeral

Adjective

Lingering in the momentary relief of complaint is not.

— James Davis, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
On Wednesday morning, South Korea’s Kospi bounced back by 3% and Samsung recovered much of its losses with a 7% surge – the latest sign that Tuesday’s plunge marked a momentary dip similar to those that have recurred over recent months.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 23 June 2026