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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fugitive

Adjective

As the fugitive car careered along the narrow road, the passenger started heaving out hindquarters of venison. —Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026

The government usually reserves such an agreement for lawbreaking corporations to avoid putting large employers out of business — not for fugitive billionaires. —Avi Asher-Schapiro, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026

Noun

He was convicted and sentenced to death in absentia, and remained a fugitive until his death at age 38. —Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026

Where else but New York would someone throw a book party for a former federal fugitive? —Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!