transitory

adjective

ˈtran(t)-sə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce transitory (audio)
Definition of transitorynext
as in temporary
lasting only for a short time a transitory panic struck me when I realized that I had left my wallet in the car

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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 transitory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for transitory
  1. temporary
  2. flash
  3. brief
  4. transient
  5. fleeting
  6. passing
  7. ephemeral
Adjective
  • The judge also set a hearing on a request for a temporary restraining order for June 13 at the federal courthouse in Denver.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 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
Definition of temporary
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
  • 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
Definition of brief
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
Definition of transient
Adjective
  • The challenge is for those moments to not be so fleeting.
    — Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 25 May 2025
  • Among the group is a pair of Black twins, whose professor mentions Mengele’s fixation with identical siblings, which both portends fleeting dramatic moments in the rest of the film, and also steeps this post-mortem study in dramatic irony.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 May 2025
Definition of fleeting
Adjective
  • With each passing year, the anniversaries of key events in World War II serve as a reminder of our slow loss of a great generation of Americans.
    — Medianews Group, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025
  • Recognized this year by TIME Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People, Snoop Dogg’s legacy continues to grow with each passing year.
    — Okla Jones, Essence, 29 May 2025
Definition of passing
Adjective
  • The technique makes an ephemeral beauty eternal by flattening the daisies, pansies, violets, and wildflowers that color your garden and turning them into enchanting home decor.
    — Perri Ormont Blumberg, Architectural Digest, 27 May 2025
  • Photographers also took note of the entirely ordinary and ephemeral things around them: a shelf of glassware, a broom in a courtyard, a tree, a leaf.
    — Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 24 May 2025
Definition of ephemeral

Browse Nearby Words

transitoriness
transitory
transits
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on transitory

Nglish: Translation of transitory for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'Bring' vs. 'Take'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Some Data About 'Datum'

The Clinical History of 'Moron,' 'Idiot,' and 'Imbecile'
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All