MOMENTARY Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

momentary

adjective

ˈmō-mən-ˌter-ē

Definition of momentary

as in flash

lasting only for a short time the pain of the flu shot was only momentary

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Long said crews took a momentary pause and will restart work within the next week. — Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 22 Aug. 2026 The governors of New York and of Texas, otherwise on opposite sides of the political spectrum, have both imposed momentary moratoriums on building them. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026 When not pulled into their own circuits, this can cause a momentary flicker due to a voltage drop that affects the entire home. — Bianca Lambert, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2026 Despite the rout in high-flying memory stocks, the VIX stayed well under first-quarter lows and selling in the S&P 500 was contained to momentary spasms. — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for momentary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for momentary

Adjective

Saturday's flash-flood event occurred after four rounds of rain swept across parts of the Grand Canyon over a span of about six hours, according to the National Weather Service.

— Trevor Ault, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
Missing hiker tip line The National Park Service is asking the public to provide information about 15 missing people after a significant flash-flood event in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of flash

Adjective

The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office declined to file charges, and Choudri returned to the railway agency after a brief leave of absence.

— Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Parton, known as the Queen of Country music, died after a brief battle with cancer.

— Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of brief

Adjective

There are a handful of college football players from the class of 2022 currently playing due to temporary restraining orders granted by judges, but hundreds of basketball players are fighting for their eligibility.

— CJ Moore, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Eight years until the Salt Lake Olympics could provide Amtrak a runway to reestablishing temporary service, but even that timeline could be tight, Clegg said.

— Rose Evans September 15, Idaho Statesman, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of temporary

Adjective

According to the company, its grid-forming control strategy can maintain stable operation across an SCR range of 1 to 40, while also helping mitigate transient overvoltage.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
The goal Dowman scored against Everton last season, to clinch a 2-0 victory in the closing minutes, would have been special had it been scored by some transient loanee who had come and gone within weeks.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of transient

Adjective

But in many of those situations Achane was sharing the backfield with another tailback [mostly Raheem Mostert] or two, and was still involved in the passing game, catching passes out the backfield.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
The team that can best run the ball to set up the passing game will win.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of passing

Adjective

Cook’s fleeting third down usage Without Ty Johnson available due to a hamstring injury, the Bills smartly wanted to see if their top rusher, James Cook, could stay on the field for third downs.

— Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
For a fleeting moment, the Arab Spring seemed to offer an escape from the bleak logic that had dominated the previous decade.

— Ayman M. Mohyeldin, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of fleeting

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“Momentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/momentary. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of momentary

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