SHORT–LIVED Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

short-lived

adjective

ˈshȯrt-ˈlivd

Definition of short-lived

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

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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 The respite proved to be short-lived as Belgium continued its onslaught and eventually found the net in the 9th minute off the foot of Charles De Ketelaere after the US defense failed to clear the ball out of the box. — Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 His death, announced to Deadline by his family, came just 10 days after that of Ronnie Schell, Baker’s co-star in the short-lived but fondly remembered 1967 sitcom Good Morning World. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 4 July 2026 But Stonie's glory was short-lived, and Chestnut won each of the next eight events. — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2026 But that trip to the sideline was short-lived and the 24-year-old has dominated since returning, stringing together 15 ⅔ scoreless innings with Triple-A Albuquerque. — Michael Lycklama, Idaho Statesman, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for short-lived

Recent Examples of Synonyms for short-lived

Adjective

The French back line hesitated for a brief second, anticipating a potential foul, but Porro pressed the advantage and side-footed a shot past Mike Maignan in the 58th minute for the backbreaking goal.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
Assemblywoman Darshana Patel, a San Diego Democrat, research scientist and local school board member, cogently expressed that hope during the Assembly’s brief floor debate.

— Dan Walters, Mercury News, 14 July 2026

Definition of brief

Adjective

Lineage has wrapped portions of the building with a temporary material meant to contain debris, reduce odors and dampen noise during the remediation process.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
The Sheriff’s Office announced that its attorneys prevailed in court Thursday afternoon, and the temporary restraining was now dissolved.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of temporary

Adjective

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
Don’t miss Alcopop’s Black Mango Watermelon, Seongju Chamoe and Watermelon Ice Pop; Matcha Latte, with flash-frozen local herbs and a hand-cut ice diamond; and Journey, a concoction that maps a tomato’s global odyssey.

— Melinda Sheckells, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026

Definition of flash

Adjective

Taylor, now in his 16th season out of Virginia Tech, is the only quarterback in NFL history with 10,000-plus passing yards, 2,000-plus rushing yards, 70-plus passing TDs, 20-plus rushing TDs and fewer than 35 interceptions.

— Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
The two groups aren’t just growing at different speeds—they’re moving apart with every passing year, and the absolute distance between them grows faster as both numbers get larger.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 June 2026

Definition of passing

Adjective

That value comes from the cast member who notices a nervous child, the detail a family discovers together, the meal that anchors the day and the fleeting sense that this experience could not have unfolded in quite the same way for anyone else.

— Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
The visual reflects the song’s themes of staying grounded in the present while recognizing the fleeting nature of life and the people closest to us.

— SPIN Staff, SPIN, 8 July 2026

Definition of fleeting

Adjective

How his work embraces the ephemeral, how that is expressed in pieces made to last much longer than a season.

— Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
And most ephemeral but perhaps most affecting were the shows that say something about our country and culture through their nuanced and often allegorical storytelling.

— Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 29 June 2026

Definition of ephemeral

Browse Nearby Words

shortish

short-lived

shortly

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“Short-lived.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/short-lived. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of short-lived

adjective

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