temporary 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtem-pə-ˌrer-ē How to pronounce temporary (audio)
Definition of temporarynext
1
as in interim
intended to last, continue, or serve for a limited time summer workers looking for temporary accommodations in private homes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in flash
lasting only for a short time a temporary lapse of memory

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in provisional
serving in a position for the time being the temporary head of the sales division

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

temporary

2 of 2

noun

as in temp

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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 temporary
Adjective
After the Superattico10 collection, the temporary store will carry the spring 2027 line that was paraded during Milan Fashion Week last month. — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026 The support page goes on to list other restrictions, including how temporary chats cannot be placed in locked chats. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 20 Oct. 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
  1. interim
  2. flash
  3. provisional
  4. temp
  5. short-term
  6. brief
  7. associate
  8. transient
Adjective
  • The Union have climbed from last place in the Eastern Conference at the World Cup break to sixth under interim coach Ryan Richter, who took over after Bradley Carnell was let go.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Napoli replaces Guillermo Olmedillo, who had served as interim village manager and is staying on as a land use, zoning and infrastructure consultant.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of interim
Adjective
  • San Antonio, Texas, was under a flash-flood warning through Thursday evening, and the city urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
    — Fabiola Sanchez, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of flash
Adjective
  • If the names cannot be matched under the applicable rules, further verification or a provisional ballot may be necessary.
    — S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Police said in an initial statement on Saturday that an 18-year-old man, whose vehicle had a p-plate (indicating the driver holds a provisional or probationary license) attached, was arrested at the scene and taken to hospital for mandatory testing.
    — Colin Millar, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of provisional
Noun
  • Given the temp range and low dew point, the poster skewed the results to make a small strip of the west coast look ideal.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Brener was first hired by New Line production boss Michael De Luca in 1995, starting as a temp and rising through the New Line corporate ladder to story editor then SVP.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of temp
Adjective
  • But while those will provide short-term relief, the currency is expected to weaken toward the end of the year and mid-2027, and a 100 rupee-per-dollar mark could not be ruled out, strategists said.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The Next Generation For many panelists, AI’s short-term savings come at the expense of the next generation of composers.
    — Ben Croll, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of short-term
Adjective
  • Yet now, after brief outbreaks in Texas during the 1970s and the Florida Keys in 2016, the dangerous parasite has returned.
    — Robert Kelly, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • After Jahan Dotson’s chance at a first impression came and went with only one catch for 19 yards in a season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Falcons’ receiver shared a brief chat with president of football Matt Ryan.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of brief
Noun
  • Sara Matar, formerly the division’s chief of staff, joined the White House counsel’s office in August as an associate.
    — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Clients and friends of Moncler, students from Parsons School of Design, and members of Leibovitz’s circle of friends and associates, will be attending.
    — David Moin, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of associate
Adjective
  • Back in February, Wyandotte County commissioners decided that the local government would direct a portion of its future sales, use and transient guest tax revenues to pay for the Chiefs development.
    — Sofi Zeman October 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of transient

Browse Nearby Words

temporariness
temporary
temporize
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Cite this Entry

“Temporary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temporary. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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