interim 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of interimnext
1
as in temporary
intended to last, continue, or serve for a limited time putting up some students in local motels is obviously just an interim solution to the college's housing shortage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in provisional
serving in a position for the time being will serve as interim head of the police department until the investigation is completed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

interim

2 of 2

noun

ˈin-tə-rəm How to pronounce interim (audio)
as in interval
a break in continuity there was a brief interim in the proceedings while everyone got organized

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 interim
Adjective
On Monday, Adalbert Lechner stepped down after nearly 33 years with Lindt, including four years as CEO, prompting his predecessor to return on an interim basis. — CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 Torrid Torrid has named former Belk finance chief Will Langley interim chief financial officer as Paula Dempsey prepares to leave the apparel retailer for another opportunity. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
Over the past month, however, the benchmark 10-year gilt yield has risen by around 19 basis points, while the longer-term 30-year gilt yield has added around 21 basis points, with both seeing choppy trade in the interim. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 21 July 2026 An Iranian negotiator said Tehran was suspending its commitments to the interim dealsigned about a month ago and aimed at permanently ending the fighting. — Jon Gambrell, Fortune, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for interim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interim
  1. temporary
  2. provisional
  3. interval
  4. transitional
  5. acting
  6. interruption
  7. hiatus
  8. gap
Adjective
  • Unlike a home price drop or a closing cost contribution, which is a permanent discount, your rate will jump up when the temporary buydown period ends.
    — Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Neither side has indicated when the temporary truce would end.
    — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of temporary
Adjective
  • But the suspension remains provisional, pending further legal proceedings that could include an agreement under consideration by a federal court.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • But their ballot is provisional, and it is not supposed to be counted until the voter is verified by state officials.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of provisional
Noun
  • Pulse for a few seconds in intervals until the ingredients are pulverized into a smooth paste.
    — Rachel Gurjar, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The check-in and action interval will vary by decision; the point is to check progress early.
    — Maureen Metcalf, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of interval
Adjective
  • Its operators blamed Hollywood’s downturn and the flight of 4-year-olds to California’s free transitional kindergarten programs.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Among the organizations preparing to assist is the Hope 4 Haven Foundation in DeKalb's Belvedere Park neighborhood, which provides transitional resources and support to individuals and families working to secure permanent housing.
    — La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of transitional
Adjective
  • This is the latest major acting role for McIntire, who has starred in a number of films in recent years.
    — Joe Otterson, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The vocal and acting prowess of the cast stands out, in a large-scale production that matches the level of major international musicals.
    — Franchesca Guim, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of acting
Noun
  • Cheaper lift passes, shorter queues and fewer interruptions on the slopes also sweeten the deal, without compromising on skiing quality.
    — Will Barker, TheWeek, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Still, questions have persisted about who ordered the interruptions to the satellite internet system that Kyiv has relied on for years to counter Moscow's attacks.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of interruption
Noun
  • Gillies has worked steadily since Silverchair’s hiatus, including the side project Tambalane with Wes Carr, his band Bento, whose debut Diamond Days arrived in 2012, and solo releases.
    — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The ponytail may only be on hiatus, but Bobiana is making a very strong case for an extended stay.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of hiatus
Noun
  • Brands says capitalism surged ahead of democracy in the late 19th century, creating moguls such as Morgan and Carnegie, along with a huge wealth gap.
    — Frank Langfitt, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026
  • But 21 years after Oviedo, a staggering gap lies between expectations for the technology and its operational reality.
    — Katie Worth, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of gap

Phrases Containing interim

Browse Nearby Words

intergalactic
interim
interims
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Interim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interim. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of Pyrrhic

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All