momentary

adjective

ˈmō-mən-ˌter-ē How to pronounce momentary (audio)
Definition of momentarynext
as in flash
lasting only for a short time the pain of the flu shot was only momentary

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

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.

my feelings of guilt were only momentary

When might ephemeral be a better fit than momentary?

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

many slang words are ephemeral

When would evanescent be a good substitute for momentary?

In some situations, the words evanescent and momentary 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

How are the words fugitive and fleeting related as synonyms of momentary?

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

Where would transient be a reasonable alternative to momentary?

The synonyms transient and momentary are sometimes interchangeable, but transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay.

a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

When is transitory a more appropriate choice than momentary?

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.

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 momentary There may even be momentary flashes of light. —Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 22 Feb. 2025 Ultimately, a crying baby is simply a momentary distraction during a day filled with celebration, and probably not a huge deal in the end. —Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 18 Feb. 2025 Leonard Cohen, who spent several years in a monastery, spoke of how part of the benefit of the experience was in being denied even momentary escape from the other monks. —Jaron Lanier, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025 But this momentary interruption in the normal order hardly matters because the ensemble is so comfortably aligned in the theatrical universe that Godwin has created. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for momentary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for momentary
  1. flash
  2. brief
  3. temporary
  4. transient
  5. passing
  6. fleeting
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
Definition of flash
Adjective
  • During a brief news conference, Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad said officials could not take questions, citing the ongoing investigation and pending litigation.
    — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The show had a brief run Off Broadway in 1996, then lived on with a miniature national tour and a beloved cast recording.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of brief
Adjective
  • The project feeds on the temporary abundance of glacial meltwater.
    — Ari Caramanica, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The high court opinion comes just as the judge who issued the temporary restraining order was mulling whether to hold Trump administration officials in contempt for violating his order to pause last month’s flights of Venezuelan migrants to a prison in El Salvador.
    — David Catanese, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of temporary
Adjective
  • However, for mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, suicidal ideation can be a transient state, according to Duckworth.
    — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Investigation is harder, too, when the victims are transient and/or vulnerable, as many of LISK’s victims were.
    — Aja Romano, Vox, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of transient
Adjective
  • No more passing responsibility onto your upstream providers or downstream users.
    — Stephanie Domas, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • More funding than ever is being dedicated to better connectivity and more energy, and new projects are sprouting up everywhere with each passing moment.
    — Giuseppe Incitti, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of passing
Adjective
  • People quickly adapt to new financial circumstances, so while receiving money may bring temporary joy, the effect is fleeting.
    — Shane Enete, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Whether leading a small team or a global enterprise, the principles of clear communication, team development, humility, resilience, and discipline will take leaders further than any fleeting trend.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of fleeting

Browse Nearby Words

momentariness
momentary
moment of truth
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Momentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/momentary. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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