TEMPORARY Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

temporary 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtem-pə-ˌrer-ē

Definition of temporary

as in interim

intended to last, continue, or serve for a limited time summer workers looking for temporary accommodations in private homes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in flash

lasting only for a short time a temporary lapse of memory

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in provisional

serving in a position for the time being the temporary head of the sales division

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

temporary

2 of 2

noun

as in temp

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 temporary

Adjective

The island closed for six days in April for inspections of the pilings and temporary repairs. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2026 Actor Hayden Panettiere’s ex-fiancé Wladimir Klitschko has filed a petition asking that he be allowed to act as their 11-year-old daughter’s temporary representative in California court to protect her inheritance after the death of her mother. — Andrew Dalton, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Noun

Following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, large areas of farmland were treated similarly, and contaminated topsoil was removed and stored in temporary as well as long-term facilities. — Eduardo B. Farfán, The Conversation, 21 Apr. 2026 California voters will have to approve the temporary in a special election in November. — Terry Collins, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for temporary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for temporary

Adjective

ConnCAT had already announced that a member of the ConnCORP board, Malcolm Ellis, would serve as its interim director as the search for a permanent leader gets underway.

— P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
Longtime city employee Megan Van Voorhis was appointed to fill Dignan’s position on an interim basis.

— Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of interim

Adjective

On Monday, the flash-flood threat is lower, but locally heavy downpours are possible for parts of the Mid-Atlantic later in the day.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026
Cronan, however, dismissed other claims, including those tied to Burgess’ flash-drive allegations.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of flash

Adjective

The provisional executive order comes into force immediately but will need congressional approval within 120 days to remain in effect.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Sep. 2026
If your voter registration record cannot be found, then you may be issued a provisional ballot.

— Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of provisional

Noun

Born in Hiroshima in 1983, Oyamada won the Shincho Prize for New Writers for The Factory, which was drawn from her experiences working as a temp for an automaker’s subsidiary.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Then toss a fresh pair of leggings into your cart to wear with popular oversized sweaters, and cute capris for the in-between-temp days.

— Jessie Quinn, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of temp

Adjective

Retaining Thompson in his role would provide short-term relief to CNN staffers who are concerned about the change in ownership.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Yolo County voters will decide in November whether to raise the tax on short-term stays in unincorporated areas from 8% to 12%, a move county officials estimate would generate about $250,000 a year.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of short-term

Adjective

The drug induces a powerful loss of personal identity and a brief but total dissolution of time and space.

— Ryan Sullivan, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Getting over this final hurdle comes after months of delays, including the major antitrust lawsuit from a coalition of 12 states, and even a Hail Mary last ditch amicus brief from a grassroots coalition that sought to block the merger entirely.

— Brian Welk, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of brief

Noun

Or Syria, where the government is now led by al-Qaeda associates.

— Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
Due to changing storm patterns, the kelp forests are also battered by more damaging winter swells, according to Scripps associate researcher Ed Parnell.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of associate

Adjective

Davis, West Sacramento and unincorporated Sacramento County already charge a 12% transient occupancy tax, and Measure X would bring Yolo County’s rate in line with those jurisdictions.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Fugue states are a precursor to the breakdown of memory; Simon’s agent begins experiencing episodes of a condition called transient global amnesia.

— Emily Witt, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of transient

Browse Nearby Words

temporariness

temporary

temporize

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Style

“Temporary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temporary. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of temporary

adjective

noun

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