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noun

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of fugitive are ephemeral, evanescent, fleeting, momentary, transient, and transitory. While all these words mean "lasting or staying only a short time," 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 is ephemeral a more appropriate choice than fugitive?

The meanings of ephemeral and fugitive largely overlap; however, ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration.

many slang words are ephemeral

When is it sensible to use evanescent instead of fugitive?

In some situations, the words evanescent and fugitive are roughly equivalent. 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

When can momentary be used instead of fugitive?

While in some cases nearly identical to fugitive, 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

Where would transient be a reasonable alternative to fugitive?

The words transient and fugitive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay.

a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

In what contexts can transitory take the place of fugitive?

The words transitory and fugitive 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.

fame in the movies is transitory

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 fugitive
Adjective
The teen was taken out of Bronx Central Booking and brought to a hospital Wednesday morning, about 24 hours after he was apprehended by a fugitive task force composed of NYPD cops and U.S. marshals. Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 14 May 2025 For all the civility of tone and talk of compromise—Lincoln went so far as to agree that a fugitive slave could be recaptured and returned to bondage—the real conflict was profound and, in the end, unbridgeable. Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
The seven fugitives still on the run are Jermaine Donald, 42; Antoine Massey, 33; Leo Tate, 31; Lenton Vanburen, 27; Derrick Groves, 27; Gary Price, 21; and Corey Boyd, 19. Donald and Boyd were both facing second-degree murder charges. Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2025 Another fugitive, Boyd, is awaiting trial on a second-degree murder charge. Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fugitive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fugitive
Adjective
  • Anderson has worked with half of Hollywood in the course of his three-decade career, but the two-time Oscar winner remains elusive.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 5 June 2025
  • However, a complete understanding of the astrophysical origin of the r-process has remained elusive for decades.
    Victoria Corless, Space.com, 4 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
Adjective
  • Mongolia and its people are often believed to be primarily nomadic.
    Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 29 May 2025
  • But the human-feeding insects’ numbers began to rise around 13,000 years ago, the study found, which corresponds with the shift from nomadic to sedentary lifestyles about 12,000 years ago.
    Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • More Entertainment: 'Black Panther' Game Canceled and Studio Shockingly Shut Down by EA This eventually led to 'Lilo & Stitch' getting a live-action remake to capitalize on the fan base that has grown for the lovable alien since 2002.
    Jeremy Hanna, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
  • Enter: the little blue alien and Tom Cruise, still performing his own stunts at 62.
    Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • The aerospace giant's stock performance reflects this pattern: initial volatility followed by sustained gains as markets recognize the underlying strength of the business model and the temporary nature of most trade disruptions.
    Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • While the two countries have announced a temporary truce that rolled back disruptive three-digit tariffs for 90 days, the relationship remains tense because of ongoing feuding over chip restrictions imposed by the US and other issues.
    Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
Noun
  • The community swelled before, during, and immediately after World War II, thanks to the arrival of Jewish refugees from Eastern Europe, reaching a peak in the 1950s of more than 1,500 members.
    Rosario Del Valle, Sun Sentinel, 3 June 2025
  • Nawrocki, 42, a newcomer to politics who previously ran a national remembrance institute, campaigned on a promise to ensure economic and social policies favour Poles over other nationalities, including refugees from neighbouring Ukraine.
    Anna Magdalena Lubowicka, USA Today, 3 June 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
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

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Cite this Entry

“Fugitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fugitive. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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