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
As a result, countries including Indonesia, Malaysia and the UK launched investigations and imposed temporary bans on xAI. — Huo Jingnan, NPR, 9 July 2026 Couric continued to ask the same questions over and over again, which led to her TGA diagnosis, a temporary inability to create new memories, according to the Mayo Clinic. — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026
Noun
Yes, but: A federal judge on Tuesday temporary halted that effort through next Monday amid a legal challenge. — Alex Fitzpatrick, Axios, 29 Jan. 2025 While this approach seems reasonable, its tradeoffs necessitate SNAP reforms that balance keeping this costly program temporary for recipients while supporting their agency and choice for long-term self-sufficiency. — Vance Ginn, National Review, 11 Mar. 2024 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
  • Mattingly, now the Phillies' interim manager, has led the team from a 9-19 record to playoff contention, expressing interest in the full-time role.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • Oil threatens to spoil the market rally … again The Iran war returned to Wall Street's doorstep last week, illustrating the fragility of the interim peace agreement between Washington and Tehran.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 11 July 2026
Definition of interim
Adjective
  • In fact, the weather service said that more than 50% of flash-flood deaths happen in vehicles driven into floodwaters.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 16 June 2026
  • Don’t miss Alcopop’s Black Mango Watermelon, Seongju Chamoe and Watermelon Ice Pop; Matcha Latte, with flash-frozen local herbs and a hand-cut ice diamond; and Journey, a concoction that maps a tomato’s global odyssey.
    — Melinda Sheckells, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Definition of flash
Adjective
  • Average air fares have declined slightly in the past month, but are still up more than 10% compared to this time last year, according to provisional reporting from tracking firms.
    — DJ Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026
  • Life expectancy hit another record high in 2025, according to new provisional federal data.
    — Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of provisional
Noun
  • When deleting this temp file, EncryptPro bypasses the Recycle Bin but doesn’t apply secure deletion, so it could theoretically be recovered with forensic software.
    — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 1 July 2026
  • Use a fan in conjunction with the AC and put the AC on a lower setting or to a higher temp trigger.
    — Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 21 June 2026
Definition of temp
Adjective
  • What starts as a short-term crisis can follow tenants for years and turn into chronic housing instability.
    — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
  • For people coming out of shelters – especially those dealing with trauma, mental illness, or substance use disorder – that can make the difference between short-term housing and long-term stability.
    — Meg Dunn, CNN Money, 10 July 2026
Definition of short-term
Adjective
  • Weist herself appears in a brief introductory clip before the performance proper.
    — Rhoda Feng, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Defense attorney Jeremy Warren, who represents both Russell and Flores, argued in both cases that prosecutors had made unusual decisions to charge the deputies with civil rights violations for brief, one-off choices.
    — Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026
Definition of brief
Noun
  • Indictments unveiled by prosecutors Tuesday describe cartel-style bosses — among them Bishnoi and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, a former associate and now rival of Bishnoi.
    — Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
  • One store associate named Ann was featured on the corporate Walmart account showing off items tourists can’t miss during their first trip.
    — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
Definition of associate
Adjective
  • Final says that, for the listener, this supports faster transient response, lower distortion and a more faithful reproduction of the original recording.
    — Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Every person experiences transient global amnesia differently.
    — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 9 July 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 13 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of temporary for Spanish Speakers

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