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
• shifty
• momentary
• inaccessible
• cagy
• unobtainable
• unavailable
• short-lived
• unreachable
• unattainable
• unapproachable
• cagey
• impermanent
• untouchable
• inconvenient

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
• galavanting
• 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
• emigré
• 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fugitive

Adjective

The film tells the story of Barry Cooper, a YouTube star, activist on behalf of drug law reform, and former police officer in Texas now living in Brazil (as a fugitive from U.S. law enforcement). —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 2 July 2025

Zhu, who couldn’t be reached for comment, did not enter a plea and was listed as a fugitive as of March 2025. —Cezary Podkul, ProPublica, 25 June 2025

Noun

Numerous local, state and federal agencies have continued to comb the wilderness for the fugitive father while experiencing several environmental hurdles, according to Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison. —Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025

That kind of stroke of fortune is often what solves a missing fugitive case. —Andy Rose, CNN Money, 28 June 2025

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!