Synonyms of fugitive

fugitive 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfyü-jə-tiv 

1

as in elusive

hard to find, capture, or isolate

that fugitive trait called artistic creativity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• elusive
• evasive
• transient
• slippery
• temporary
• fleeting
• transitory
• ephemeral
• passing
• evanescent
• momentary
• inaccessible
• unavailable
• unobtainable
• shifty
• unattainable
• short-lived
• untouchable
• cagey
• inconvenient
• unreachable
• unapproachable
• impermanent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• available
• obtainable
• convenient
• attainable
• accessible
• reachable
• approachable

2

as in flash

lasting only for a short time

had fugitive thoughts of leaving town after finishing high school but never acted on them

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flash
• temporary
• transient
• brief
• passing
• transitory
• fleeting
• ephemeral
• evanescent
• momentary
• deciduous
• little
• fugacious
• short
• short-lived
• impermanent
• acting
• short-term
• interim
• provisional
• shortish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• permanent
• eternal
• immortal
• enduring
• perpetual
• everlasting
• lasting
• deathless
• timeless
• endless
• undying
• unending
• lifelong
• ceaseless
• persistent
• long-lived
• durable
• dateless
• continuing
• indestructible
• imperishable
• indefectible

3

as in nomadic

traveling from place to place

a small fugitive circus that traveled the countryside

Synonyms & Similar Words

• nomadic
• nomad
• peregrine
• migrant
• roaming
• roving
• itinerant
• vagrant
• on the move
• peripatetic
• vagabond
• ambulatory
• ranging
• wayfaring
• wandering
• ambulant
• migratory
• errant
• perambulatory
• gallivanting
• walking
• drifting
• footloose
• rambling
• meandering
• sauntering
• traipsing
• strolling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• static
• stationary
• standing
• settled
• immobile
• motionless
• still
• nonmoving

fugitive

2 of 2

noun

as in alien

Related Words

• alien
• refugee
• émigré
• exile
• expatriate
• outcast
• deportee
• pariah
• patriot
• evacuee
• expat
• loyalist
• castoff

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of fugitive are ephemeral, evanescent, fleeting, 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

When is ephemeral a more appropriate choice than fugitive?

The meanings of ephemeral and fugitive largely overlap; however, ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration.

many slang words are ephemeral

When is it sensible to use evanescent instead of fugitive?

In some situations, the words evanescent and fugitive are roughly equivalent. However, 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 can momentary be used instead of fugitive?

While in some cases nearly identical to fugitive, 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

Where would transient be a reasonable alternative to fugitive?

The words transient and fugitive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay.

a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

In what contexts can transitory take the place of fugitive?

The words transitory and fugitive 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

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

Some common synonyms of fugitive are ephemeral, evanescent, fleeting, 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

When is ephemeral a more appropriate choice than fugitive?

The meanings of ephemeral and fugitive largely overlap; however, ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration.

many slang words are ephemeral

When is it sensible to use evanescent instead of fugitive?

In some situations, the words evanescent and fugitive are roughly equivalent. However, 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 can momentary be used instead of fugitive?

While in some cases nearly identical to fugitive, 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

Where would transient be a reasonable alternative to fugitive?

The words transient and fugitive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay.

a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

In what contexts can transitory take the place of fugitive?

The words transitory and fugitive 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

Recent Examples of fugitive

Adjective

Troopers arrested 50 people for driving while intoxicated and made 31 felony and 12 fugitive arrests statewide. —Raul Trey Lopez, San Antonio Express-News, 5 Feb. 2026

After Gilbert was arrested on a fugitive warrant in Kansas, in 2024, Mitchell’s lawyer said evidence had surfaced implicating Gilbert, not Mitchell, as the actual killer. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026

Noun

In addition to Manpreet Singh being a fugitive, two of the men charged in the scheme — Daljeet Singh and Gurjit Singh — have yet to be brought in on arrest warrants. —Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026

Li allegedly cut off his ankle monitor and remains a fugitive at large. —Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 14 Feb. 2026

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