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
The metro’s brief escape from summer’s grip will be short-lived, as punishing heat and sticky humidity are set to stage a comeback in Kansas City.
—
Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2025
At the time, Taylor was dating Matty Healy, who had previously made racist remarks about Ice Spice on a podcast — but thankfully, that relationship was short-lived and her friendship with Ice Spice lives on.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2025
Thankfully, however, her anxious wait for answers would prove short-lived.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
According to Andrew Quigley, meteorologist for the Milwaukee/Sullivan National Weather Service, the weather patterns might have helped — but not specifically because of the rain, and the impacts might be short-lived.
—Andrew Montequin, jsonline.com, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for short-lived
Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2025
At the time, Taylor was dating Matty Healy, who had previously made racist remarks about Ice Spice on a podcast — but thankfully, that relationship was short-lived and her friendship with Ice Spice lives on.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2025
Thankfully, however, her anxious wait for answers would prove short-lived.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
According to Andrew Quigley, meteorologist for the Milwaukee/Sullivan National Weather Service, the weather patterns might have helped — but not specifically because of the rain, and the impacts might be short-lived.
—Andrew Montequin, jsonline.com, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for short-lived
Recent Examples of Synonyms for short-lived
Adjective
-
This rare shadow transit is visible during a few brief windows every 15 years, when Saturn's rings are aligned edge-on with Earth.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Millions of years ago, the environment there was still dominated by a dry season, but it was interrupted by a brief wet season.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Considering that the workplace is multi-generational, a range of benefits—from pet insurance to temporary part-time status to mental health coaching—could serve them best.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Trump also reversed his support for a ceasefire and instead is seeking a peace agreement after the meeting with Putin, who has long said Moscow is not interested in a temporary truce and is looking for a long-term settlement that supports the Kremlin’s interests.—
Landon Mion , Lucas Y. Tomlinson,
FOXNews.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Focus now shifts to Thursday’s weekly jobless claims numbers and S&P Global’s flash PMI data to gauge economic health in the wake of tariff uncertainties.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
23 July 2025
-
Thursday's weekly jobless claims numbers and S&P Global's flash PMI data will be closely assessed to gauge economic health in the wake of tariff uncertainties.—
Nikhil Sharma,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
Her life felt transient, moving from Chicago; to Topanga, Calif.; to New Zealand, while her dad shot Peter Jackson’s 2005 King Kong film; and then to Dripping Springs, Texas, just 20 minutes outside of Austin proper.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Removing transient motel rooms was critical to the pivot.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
But like a spring that becomes more tightly wound with each passing year, this can quietly lay the groundwork for a violent recoil.—
Lisa Oake,
CNBC,
17 Aug. 2025
-
That means with each passing year, an increasing proportion of seniors have been reaching those low thresholds and paying taxes on their benefits.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
In my experience, most consumers favor brands that prioritize authenticity and relatable experiences over those following fleeting trends.—
Michele Zanello,
Rolling Stone,
19 Aug. 2025
-
Putin’s goals are unchanging; his smile and his handshake are fleeting.—
Richard Stengel,
Time,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Eric-the-junkie had intoned to his even-then-passé parents, old-schoolers bent on building systems that would stick, that the monks were celebrating the ephemeral beauty of physical existence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 July 2025
-
In 2023, Fischer depicted her in an ephemeral piece, with a lifespan of a single gallery show.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Short-lived.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/short-lived. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share