Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of momentary are ephemeral, evanescent, fleeting, fugitive, transient, and transitory. While all these words mean "lasting or staying only a short time," 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

When might ephemeral be a better fit than momentary?

Although the words ephemeral and momentary have much in common, ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration.

many slang words are ephemeral

When would evanescent be a good substitute for momentary?

In some situations, the words evanescent and momentary 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

How are the words fugitive and fleeting related as synonyms of momentary?

Both fugitive and fleeting imply passing so quickly as to make apprehending difficult.

let a fugitive smile flit across his face
fleeting moments of joy

Where would transient be a reasonable alternative to momentary?

The synonyms transient and momentary are sometimes interchangeable, but transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay.

a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

When is transitory a more appropriate choice than momentary?

The words transitory and momentary 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 momentary That momentary pause was all Ghorman Front leader Carro Rylanz needed to kill Syril. Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2025 The band mounts its momentary comeback with both an album and a song. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025 Call a staff meeting, write these words on a whiteboard, sit in the discomfort of momentary silence, then just listen, and see what flourishes. Eric Crosby, Artforum, 1 May 2025 Regularly staged behind large Plexiglas sheets that forced the audience to watch reflections of themselves perceiving the show, the plays had mesmerizing ways of generating momentary amnesia in viewers. Andrew Lampert, Artforum, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for momentary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for momentary
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
  • Based on specs and my brief time with the phone, this is the biggest drawback.
    Iyaz Akhtar, PC Magazine, 13 May 2025
  • In 2013, Erdogan worked with the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) on the brief peace process with the PKK.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • Fears of a slide back towards authoritarian rule were hardened by a temporary constitution focusing power in his hands.
    Tom Perry, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • The 25-year-old singer has gotten a temporary restraining order against her ex-boyfriend and baby Halo’s father due to alleged physical and verbal abuse.
    Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • The premise established in Season 1 has Charlie fleeing from the mob, which is another reason for her transient life on the road.
    Nina Metz Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 8 May 2025
  • The hotel room fees known as transient occupancy tax or TOT, are anticipated to climb about 2.7% to $17 million.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 May 2025
Adjective
  • But with every passing hour that a patient waits for treatment or for labor to start, the risk of sepsis increases.
    Kavitha Surana, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
  • In many ways, this village felt as if it was frozen in time, only a ringing clocktower bell served as a reminder of every passing hour.
    Daria Bachmann, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • But they were only meant to be fleeting. Italiano’s predecessor, Thiago Motta, left for Juventus last summer.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 15 May 2025
  • Digging deeper, Centric’s intelligence interpreted that evergreen items have longer-lasting appeal than fleeting trends, thus justifying the high white tee price hike.
    Lauren Parker, Sourcing Journal, 14 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Momentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/momentary. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on momentary

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