momentary
adjective
Synonyms
- brief
- deciduous
- ephemeral
- evanescent
- flash
- fleeting
- fugacious
- fugitive
- impermanent
- passing
- short-lived
- temporary
- transient
- transitory
Example Sentences
Abha Bhattarai, Anchorage Daily News, 11 Sep. 2022 The looming question, economists say, is whether the current calm signals a turning point for inflation, or whether this is just a momentary reprieve before the economy worsens. Abha Bhattarai, Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2022 Any revenue earned after the event can then be put back into the portfolio to compensate for properties that may be incurring a momentary loss of income or toward their general repairs. Ali Jamal, Forbes, 9 June 2022 It’s once again that time of year where thousands of prospective sorority girls take to TikTok to become momentary viral sensations as part of Bama Rush Tok. Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 3 Aug. 2022 Because a single election can be undermined or delegitimized, or can be shaped by momentary political conditions that do not truly reflect the will of the people. Alberto C. Medina, The New Republic, 20 July 2022 Then came a momentary reprieve for the Mets during the game through Max Scherzer, their ageless wonder with the slew of pitches. Terence Moore, Forbes, 12 July 2022 During a momentary lull in patient traffic, Sheila sank back against a cabinet to rest. Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 25 June 2022 Seeing police show up was a momentary relief before the unthinkable. Eve Sampson, Detroit Free Press, 16 July 2022 See More Word History
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Kids Definition
momentary
adjective
momentary
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- flash
- temporary
- brief
- transient
- fleeting
- passing
- transitory
- ephemeral
- evanescent
- fugacious
- short
- short-lived
- little
- impermanent
- deciduous
- fugitive
- acting
- short-term
- interim
- provisional
- shortish
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- permanent
- lasting
- eternal
- perpetual
- enduring
- unending
- everlasting
- endless
- lifelong
- undying
- ceaseless
- deathless
- timeless
- immortal
- persistent
- continuing
- durable
- dateless
- long-lived
- indestructible
- imperishable
- indefectible
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of momentary are ephemeral, evanescent, fleeting, fugitive, transient, and transitory. While all these words mean "lasting or staying only a short time," momentary suggests coming and going quickly and therefore being merely a brief interruption of a more enduring state.
Although the words ephemeral and momentary have much in common, ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration.
In some situations, the words evanescent and momentary are roughly equivalent. However, evanescent suggests a quick vanishing and an airy or fragile quality.
Both fugitive and fleeting imply passing so quickly as to make apprehending difficult.
The synonyms transient and momentary are sometimes interchangeable, but transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay.
The words transitory and momentary can be used in similar contexts, but transitory applies to what is by its nature or essence bound to change, pass, or come to an end.