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

Some make a distinction between temporary discomfort – such as anxiety or difficult emotions during meditation – and lasting harm, such as worsening mental health symptoms.

— Ronald S. Green, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
He’s been dealt the difficult hand of overseeing a roster overhaul and the team’s temporary relocation to West Sacramento expected to run through next season, with his pitching staff struggling to be effective in the band-box of Sutter Health Park.

— Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 16 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

Mendieta is best known for work that interweaves sadness with violence, drawing on her experiences of exile and her feminist politics to negotiate the transient fragility of life.

— Eliza Goodpasture, ARTnews.com, 15 July 2026
His vision of transient living, where violence, desolation and sexuality were expressed through an aching slide guitar, offered a counterpoint to the gospel heard throughout southern Baptist churches.

— Steven Johnson, Washington Post, 14 July 2026

Definition of transient

Adjective

The government has aggressively pursued cases against protesters and others who have had even fleeting and unintentional physical contact with agents.

— Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 19 July 2026
But the walkout took place at a strange, fleeting moment when corporations like Google wanted to align themselves with the #resistance.

— Claire Stapleton, New Yorker, 18 July 2026

Definition of fleeting

Adjective

Like a poem, a picture is another way of remembering, of trying to capture the ephemeral, recover a fleeting moment.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 July 2026
Others express concern about shifting attention of the schools too sharply to the ephemeral needs of the labor market.

— Tim Knowles, Fortune, 8 July 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 22 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of short-lived

adjective

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