fugitive 1 of 2

1
2
3

fugitive

2 of 2

noun

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

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 fugitive
Adjective
Most of the fugitives were awaiting court proceedings or trials, like most other inmates. Chris Kenning, USA Today, 17 June 2025 Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez, one of the other fugitives, was taken into custody in Passaic, N.J., on Friday, the day after the escape in nearby Newark. Mike Catalini, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025
Noun
Also, the bill fails to adequately address the nonjudicial functions of the Marshals Service, like fugitive investigations — activities that should remain in the executive branch. Michael McAuliffe, Sun Sentinel, 10 June 2025 The area includes plentiful caves and old outbuildings, offering a fugitive many places to hide. Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for fugitive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fugitive
Adjective
  • Despite winning a handful of Grammys, the Academy Award remained elusive: Schifrin was nominated for Best Original Score six times — for Cool Hand Luke, The Fox, Voyage of the Damned, The Amityville Horror, The Competition and The Sting II — but never won an Oscar.
    Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 27 June 2025
  • This article is a selection from the July/August 2025 issue of Smithsonian magazine Even here, however, on the finest durian-eating street in the durian capital of the world, spectacular durian remains elusive.
    Tom Downey, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Don’t let the lack of flash fool you — this guy is the real deal.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The German figures come a day before the scheduled release of flash inflation data for the euro area, which will be closely watched by investors for guidance on the odds of another interest rate cut from the European Central Bank.
    Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • One hypothesis as to how the fossils ended up there is that seasonal nomadic livestock herders traded meat and goods such as fossils with local inhabitants, in exchange for use of their land.
    Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 24 June 2025
  • Seed, who followed her parents’ career paths as a photographer, also discovered a trove of her mother’s own photographs, revealing a distinctive, clear-eyed aesthetic and a nomadic itch.
    Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • The deadly apex aliens have finally revealed themselves, rapidly spreading their deadly spikes across the planet.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 5 July 2025
  • Plus, there's that scene of Will Smith punching an alien in the face!
    EW Staff Published, EW.com, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • Even with the temporary pause, abrupt policy changes have left some business owners tapping into personal savings, postponing expansions and in some cases, closing altogether.
    Ana Valdez, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • This would not apply to Alaska and Hawaii, both of which would receive temporary exemptions from the cost-sharing rules.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • And the Afghan refugees in Pakistan have no real rights to protect them.
    Ruchi Kumar, NPR, 28 June 2025
  • The terms of the peace deal signed on Friday call for both countries to end support for non-state groups, the return of refugees, and the creation of a joint security coordination mechanism aimed at resolving disputes.
    Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Compared to an initial version of the budgets presented to City Council members in May, the ones that were adopted include an additional $194,000 and $160,000 in transient occupancy tax revenue for 2026 and 2027, respectively.
    Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025
  • What explosive and transient events occur in the universe?
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • For a brief moment, everything seemed to be going according to plan.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 29 June 2025
  • Sadly, the wheels (or should that be legs?) all come off in that final act, as the film limps towards its conclusion via a brief stay in Harlan Ogilvy (Robbins)' basement.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 29 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fugitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fugitive. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fugitive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!