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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 Bonds rallied and yields dropped on the news, but the impact was short-lived. — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2026 Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have also been enrolled in schools, which gives the impression the move won’t be as short-lived as some reports suggested. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 20 Aug. 2026 But the move does nothing to solve the underlying problem, and the effect was short-lived. — Scott Horsley, NPR, 20 Aug. 2026 But her reign as Miss America 1984 was short-lived — Williams resigned in July 1984 after learning that nude photos taken before her win would be published in Penthouse. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for short-lived

Recent Examples of Synonyms for short-lived

Adjective

Parton died Tuesday at 80 following a brief battle with cancer.

— Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
Previous research has shown that on average, one death is prevented for every 230 naloxone kits distributed, so even this brief ban may have resulted in several preventable overdose deaths.

— Paul Christine, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of brief

Adjective

Gates officially open Monday, August 31, but just over half of the attendees will arrive earlier to build the big art installations and other features of the temporary city.

— Anya Kamenetz, Curbed, 28 Aug. 2026
However, temporary court orders and pending litigation have affected the official list of qualifying professional degrees.

— Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of temporary

Adjective

For example, there is a greater focus on workwear that can address flash-fire hazards while also functioning as everyday task wear.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of flash

Adjective

Summary The 2018 Sears bankruptcy underscored retail's transient nature, a lesson Jeff Bezos and former Walmart CEO Doug McMillon also emphasize.

— Jason Goldberg, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Before his arrest, Grannell appears to have been transient, possibly living at a campground in Round Mountain, Texas.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of transient

Adjective

The truth is the lack of an over-the-top passing game isn’t surprising based on what Craig has showed in practice.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026
The first game under Pritchard was an exciting one with the Cardinal passing game looking sharp with Warren running a balanced attack.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of passing

Adjective

Golden hour is one of the best times to be outside and enjoying the evening sun; the lighting during golden hour is unlike any other time of day and gives way to a fleeting warmth that’s both romantic and somewhat nostalgic.

— Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Another waterspout moved ashore near the eastern Rockaways in southern Queens, according to the National Weather Service, but no damage has been reported from the fleeting whirlwind.

— Dakota Smith, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of fleeting

Adjective

Viral memes and videos are often good for only ephemeral dopamine hits, but leave the elixir to the humor and talent of the Gregory Brothers, a longtime musical quartet.

— Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 23 Aug. 2026
The prospect of a book, uneditable once on shelves, presented an overwhelming feeling of finality compared to the ever-evolving, ephemeral language of fashion design.

— Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of ephemeral

Browse Nearby Words

shortish

short-lived

shortly

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Short-lived.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/short-lived. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of short-lived

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gumption

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes