short-lived

adjective

ˈshȯrt-ˈlivd How to pronounce short-lived (audio)
Definition of short-livednext
as in brief
lasting only for a short time the skier's triumph turned out to be short-lived, as the next competitor bested her time

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 short-lived Cristobal's forecast Satellite data shows Cristobal is producing tropical storm-force winds to its southeast, but it's expected to be short-lived, given its location in the Atlantic. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026 If the division admittedly had been characterized by a somewhat conservative bent under the old guard, that era was relatively short-lived. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 Aug. 2026 But the respite after the signing was short-lived, with Washington and Tehran seemingly adopting different interpretations of the language used in the interim agreement. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 10 Aug. 2026 The weather service said a heat advisory might be warranted for Sunday if storm activity is sparse and too short-lived to have any cooling effects across the region. — Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for short-lived
Recent Examples of Synonyms for short-lived
  1. brief
  2. temporary
  3. flash
  4. transient
  5. passing
  6. fleeting
  7. ephemeral
Adjective
  • Deputies and police officers already at the courthouse pursued Guerrero during a brief foot chase and captured him, officials said.
    — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Men’s domestic cricket in Pakistan, aside from a brief spell from 2019 to 2023 while former Test captain Imran Khan was the country’s prime minister and instigated change, is divided between teams from regions and departments.
    — Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of brief
Adjective
  • Aston Villa loanee Evann Guessand gets the temporary nod on the left over Yeremy Pino, who returned late after World Cup duty with Spain.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The phrase describes a common, temporary condition that research shows affects about 80% of people who give birth.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of temporary
Adjective
  • Parts of Connecticut and New York, including the Albany area, remained under flash-flood warnings on Wednesday morning.
    — Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 29 July 2026
  • Slow-moving storms may pose flash-flood risks across large portions of North, West, Central, South and East Texas beginning on Sunday, June 12, with the main threats expected early to mid-week.
    — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 14 July 2026
Definition of flash
Adjective
  • Most of the human presence in that region is transient—tourists who marvel at nature and soon depart.
    — Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Students will encounter larger classes, fewer course offerings and a more transient instructional workforce.
    — Francisco Ruiz, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of transient
Adjective
  • None were a factor in the passing game, but the unit proved there’s something there to be developed.
    — Omar Kelly August 15, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Gradually, the story’s impact started to affect Eckert, with every passing day heightening the scrutiny.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of passing
Adjective
  • Knowing that dinner at Fallow was on the schedule, her disappointment was fleeting.
    — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
  • And that writing gives the fleeting moment a chance to endure, even when the world is unable to stop and listen.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of fleeting
Adjective
  • Traditional cybersecurity, particularly Zero Trust's reliance on identity, is insufficient for these autonomous, ephemeral agents.
    — Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • The works are considered an exclamatory response to the institutional question of how to collect and display dance, a typically ephemeral form.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 29 July 2026
Definition of ephemeral

Browse Nearby Words

shortish
short-lived
shortly
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Cite this Entry

“Short-lived.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/short-lived. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of short-lived for Spanish Speakers

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