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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

temporary

2 of 2

noun

as in temp

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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
There are currently 54 players competing in the SEC, Big Ten, Big East, ACC and Big 12 thanks to temporary restraining orders that granted them relief to play an additional fifth year. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2026 Valentin and a few staff members are working this month in a temporary sales office in the vacant GNC store in Simsbury Commons. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 10 Nov. 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
  • Since interim head coach Ryan Richter took over during the World Cup break, Philadelphia earned 43 of a possible 57 points while outscoring opponents 48-22 during that span.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Amari Thomas ran for two touchdowns, his second an 11-yarder to put Florida State ahead late in the fourth quarter, and the Seminoles beat Boston College 31-24 on Saturday to make interim coach Rick Stockstill a winner in his first game.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Nov. 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
  • Local officials are receiving and examining absentee and provisional ballots, called affidavit ballots, before deadlines next week.
    — BILL BARROW, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Preparing the paint for commercial use The team has filed a provisional patent application and is developing a transparent protective layer that could help the paint withstand wind and rain.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of provisional
Noun
  • Job openings rose the most in professional and business services, which includes high-paying jobs in engineering and accounting, as well as jobs in the temp industry.
    — Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • That core body temp drop and melatonin bump are the actual mechanisms your tracker is picking up when readiness scores climb.
    — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of temp
Adjective
  • The decision to pursue short-term Band-Aid measures for a weak labor market and foreign trade tensions is confusing at first pass.
    — Oliver Melton, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Next moves So was Wednesday's action a short-term pop or a lasting benefit?
    — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of short-term
Adjective
  • There was a brief moment of hope last week when authorities tried to bring students back to classrooms.
    — Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Kevin Carter | Getty Images After a brief bounce the week before, mortgage demand continued its slide last week, despite falling mortgage rates.
    — Diana Olick, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of brief
Noun
  • At the same time, Democrats could use their congressional powers to expose uncomfortable details of deals between Gulf investors and the president’s relatives and associates, including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff’s family.
    — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Palacios testified that Désir, along with Ashkard Pierre, another close associate of Sanon, took him and the other former soldiers from a hotel to a mountaintop house that would serve as the staging ground for the attack.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of associate
Adjective
  • The transient air pressure of a passing thunderstorm, or the excessive production of cow patties, spoiled the chips.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
  • 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
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 11 Nov. 2026.

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