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
But Bally's, as originally planned, now will move forward with the project without the need for the A's to construct a temporary setup. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 City officials are trying to implement a speedy process, ensuring that applicants receive notice within 14 days of receipt of their temporary projects. — City News Service, Daily News, 20 Aug. 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 the team returned to training, with second-team head coach Ryan Richter elevated to interim boss of the first team, the Union has taken off.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • After parting ways with head coach Marin Sjögren and assistant coach Anders Jacobson, Karina Báez made her debut as interim coach for Chicago.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of interim
Adjective
  • Parts of Connecticut and New York, including the Albany area, remained under flash-flood warnings on Wednesday morning.
    — Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 29 July 2026
  • Slow-moving storms may pose flash-flood risks across large portions of North, West, Central, South and East Texas beginning on Sunday, June 12, with the main threats expected early to mid-week.
    — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 14 July 2026
Definition of flash
Adjective
  • The top 16 in the provisional Chase have been unchanged for the past four races, and the grid for the 10-race title run likely will remain the same at New Hampshire Motor Speedway this weekend.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Its driver was only in possession of a provisional license and had been behind the wheel of the vehicle for less than half an hour when he was pulled over by police.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of provisional
Noun
  • This cooling tub can be installed inside or out and drops the water temp to a brisk 37°F for consistent recovery sessions.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Mark told me that on Friday his temp was 103 and his O2 sat was in the 80s.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
Definition of temp
Adjective
  • The offer of a trial from Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson that eventually turned into a short-term contract until January 2025 proved the merits of all that hard work.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • To be sure, efforts to prop up the yen were seen as short-term measures to address the symptoms rather than the root causes of the currency’s weakness.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of short-term
Adjective
  • Deputies and police officers already at the courthouse pursued Guerrero during a brief foot chase and captured him, officials said.
    — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Men’s domestic cricket in Pakistan, aside from a brief spell from 2019 to 2023 while former Test captain Imran Khan was the country’s prime minister and instigated change, is divided between teams from regions and departments.
    — Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of brief
Noun
  • Shakur and members of his entourage attacked Anderson after Death Row associate Trevon Lane spotted him in the casino crowd following a Mike Tyson fight.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Favier, like her half-sister Victoire de Castellane (now artistic director of the jewelry department at Dior), was introduced to the world of fashion by her uncle Gilles Dufour, a close associate of Karl Lagerfeld’s at Chanel.
    — Pierre Groppo, Vanity Fair, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of associate
Adjective
  • Most of the human presence in that region is transient—tourists who marvel at nature and soon depart.
    — Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Students will encounter larger classes, fewer course offerings and a more transient instructional workforce.
    — Francisco Ruiz, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 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 23 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of temporary for Spanish Speakers

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