transitoriness 1 of 2

as in shortness
the state or quality of lasting only for a short time given the transitoriness of inspiration, artists are inclined to work quickly whenever a new idea strikes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How is the word transitory different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of transitory are ephemeral, evanescent, fleeting, fugitive, momentary, and transient. While all these words mean "lasting or staying only a short time," transitory applies to what is by its nature or essence bound to change, pass, or come to an end.

fame in the movies is transitory

When could ephemeral be used to replace transitory?

Although the words ephemeral and transitory have much in common, ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration.

many slang words are ephemeral

When is evanescent a more appropriate choice than transitory?

The meanings of evanescent and transitory largely overlap; however, evanescent suggests a quick vanishing and an airy or fragile quality.

the story has an evanescent touch of whimsy that is lost in translation

How do fugitive and fleeting relate to one another, in the sense of transitory?

Both fugitive and fleeting imply passing so quickly as to make apprehending difficult.

let a fugitive smile flit across his face
fleeting moments of joy

When would momentary be a good substitute for transitory?

While in some cases nearly identical to transitory, momentary suggests coming and going quickly and therefore being merely a brief interruption of a more enduring state.

my feelings of guilt were only momentary

In what contexts can transient take the place of transitory?

While the synonyms transient and transitory are close in meaning, transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay.

a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

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 transitoriness
Adjective
Economists who initially expected price increases to be transitory were surprised at inflationary pressures that lingered for years. Ana Swanson, New York Times, 1 May 2025 The Trump administration’s assurance that the American economy will experience a transitory period is a promise greatly supported by America’s leading Technology and Information sector. Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025 But on Wednesday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell labeled the potential effect of tariffs on inflation as likely being short-lived or transitory. Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025 In her ideal world, everyone would have a transitory object at home. Marisa Meltzer, ARTnews.com, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for transitoriness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for transitoriness
Adjective
  • Kiser lawsuit update: Court places temporary ban on release of records The first hearing in Kiser's case was held on June 3.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 7 June 2025
  • The Navy veteran's temporary fix has been seasonally decorating a construction cone, which was placed over the sinkhole as a warning.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • Don’t let the lack of flash fool you — this guy is the real deal.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The German figures come a day before the scheduled release of flash inflation data for the euro area, which will be closely watched by investors for guidance on the odds of another interest rate cut from the European Central Bank.
    Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2024
Noun
  • While these two exhibits may feel distinct, for Suh, all of his work interrogates the boundaries between personal and public space, and the conditions that force transience or enable permanence.
    Megan Williams, CNN Money, 1 May 2025
  • Fallen blossoms whisper on the damp earth, a fleeting poem of transience.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • Peyton Manning Doesn't Hold Back About Aaron Rodgers Amid Steelers Rumors During an appearance on 93.7 The Fan, Marino revealed some brief thoughts on Rodgers and the Steelers.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
  • The private residence was used for a brief exterior shot only in the movie.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • In the study, participants in the High Awareness and Acceptance (HAA) group, who accepted impermanence, demonstrated better mental health outcomes, supporting the idea that acceptance of life’s impermanence may act as a protective factor for mental health.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • These works, made entirely in nature and left to be reclaimed by it, speak to a deep reverence for impermanence and the fleeting beauty of the world around us.
    Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
Adjective
  • And so happiness by nature is meant to be transient.
    Jess Cording, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • The Pacific Northwest has long had some of the highest cremation rates in the country, in part because its residents tend to be less religious and more transient.
    Susan Shain, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • But transiency in the back of the bullpen extends well beyond Woodward’s arrival.
    Dallas News, Dallas News, 27 July 2022
  • The council will hold a workshop outlining strategies and efforts to remedy homelessness and transiency in the city.
    Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2021
Adjective
  • Between farewells and fleeting moments, Danielius embraces the present — immersing himself in the town one last time before finally letting go.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 June 2025
  • For a fleeting moment in March, the Facebook page of Yojani, a Venezuelan migrant whose last name is withheld for her security, looked like a recap of a family vacation.
    Whitney Eulich, Christian Science Monitor, 2 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Transitoriness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/transitoriness. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

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