Synonym Chooser

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 transitory In the haunting new film from esteemed German director Christian Petzold (Transit, NYFF56), his regular star Paula Beer plays Laura, a pianist from Berlin who finds herself in a transitory state. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025 Analysts believe the headwinds at its crown jewel aerospace division will be transitory. Jim Cramer, CNBC, 28 July 2025 But, despite the transitory nature of her medium, Hawkins takes her craft seriously. Tabitha Parent, People.com, 18 July 2025 In the meantime, the verdict is still out on whether the recent wave of avowedly ideological businesses is transitory or permanent, and whether a parallel economy inspired by the Trump movement can outlast Trump himself. Eric Cortellessa, Time, 17 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for transitory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for transitory
Adjective
  • There is, actually, another category of nail lovers that has emerged in recent years, and those are people who swear by temporary press-ons.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Cook sued over the firing, being granted a temporary restraining order by Judge Jia Cobb last week.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • What To Know A map shared by the NWS on Facebook showed a broad corridor of flash-flood risk spanning the Western states and Southern Plains.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025
  • The emerging miners, exposed directly to the flash during its first split second, were covered in flash-absorbing black.
    Charles Pellegrino, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In a brief video snippet accompanying the post, Cyrus is seen in close-up staring directly into the camera while wearing what looks like surgical gauze around her chin and head as more white material is blown by a breeze around her face.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Broader market reactions have been muted, barring brief spikes in oil prices when Israel entered direct confrontations with Hamas’ crude-rich patron Iran and with other of Tehran’s proxies, such as Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis.
    Ruxandra Iordache,Emma Graham, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In healthy people, a transient increase in the morning blood pressure is normal and generally of no concern.
    MD Published, Verywell Health, 13 Sep. 2025
  • That promise now feels increasingly tenuous; few of the permanent employees have been hired yet, the complex is still under construction, and most of the workforce are transient staff on temporary visas or contracts – like the ones swept up by ICE.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • All perfumes pull a disappearing act at some point during the day, but Coty has figured out a way to make their fragrances less fleeting.
    Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • For this reason, Mackinac Island is the perfect backdrop for leaf peeping, which is all about taking a quiet moment to enjoy something fleeting.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The big Etienne run followed a few rough moments in the passing game for the safeties and linebackers.
    DIAMOND VENCES, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The regression in the Dolphins’ vertical passing game, a problem for most of last season, continued in the opener.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • For two days, climbers and onlookers gathered around a 45-foot wall—an ephemeral monument suspended above water—where the edges between sport, spectacle, and cultural communion blurred.
    Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Stage acting is the most ephemeral of the classical performing arts.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Transitory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/transitory. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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