Synonyms of momentary

momentary

adjective

ˈmō-mən-ˌter-ē 

as in flash

lasting only for a short time

the pain of the flu shot was only momentary

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flash
• brief
• temporary
• transient
• passing
• fleeting
• transitory
• ephemeral
• evanescent
• short
• little
• short-lived
• deciduous
• fugacious
• fugitive
• impermanent
• short-term
• acting
• interim
• provisional
• shortish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• permanent
• lasting
• eternal
• perpetual
• enduring
• unending
• everlasting
• endless
• immortal
• ceaseless
• undying
• lifelong
• timeless
• deathless
• persistent
• durable
• continuing
• long-lived
• dateless
• indestructible
• imperishable
• indefectible

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

Recent Examples of momentary

The reflex sell-off after Wednesday's Federal Reserve rate hike gave the S&P 500 a momentary test of 7500, which proved a timely shakeout. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026

Suddenly the familiar faces of morning television, already struggling to make sense of the first crash, went wide-eyed and silent in momentary shock. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Netizens were quick to joke about out the unusual outage affecting almost every major AI chatbot service, describing a momentary glimpse of lucidity for a society obsessed with a tech that’s deteriorating our cognitive abilities. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026

This woman reportedly had already been receiving unwanted and threatening messages, and investigators concluded that Zhou’s AI conversations showed something more than a momentary angry outburst. — Matthew T. Christ, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026