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 Young kids can mistake a momentary outburst from their parents as something more serious and permanent. Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 7 Jan. 2025 From its humble beginnings in 2009, to its climb to $1 in 2011, and to its momentary rise above $100,000 in 2024, the journey so far reflects Bitcoin’s disruptive power. Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 3 Jan. 2025 He was also credited as a member of the momentary supergroup Mark Knopfler's Guitar Heroes, led by Knopfler himself. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024 The signal may be as subtle as a momentary freeze or muscle stiffening. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for momentary 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for momentary
Adjective
  • 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
  • Residents who live near the intersection where the accident occurred said the flash mobs of street takeovers have become weekly occurrences in their neighborhood.
    Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2022
Adjective
  • But there is a 10% to 20% chance of thunderstorms across the region, which could happen at any time, and could bring isolated, brief heavy rainfall at rates of half an inch an hour, Kittell said.
    Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Questlove and editor Joshua L. Pearson visually annotate every major marker of Sly and the Family Stone’s brief, enormous career, which was very well documented.
    Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Once the league’s best franchise, the Sparks have devolved into a rudderless mess with constant changes in leadership, no real stars and only recently announced plans for a new practice facility after being relegated to temporary locker rooms at a community college.
    Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025
  • But temporary residents, people who come in here, whether legally or illegally, and don’t plan to stay, their children shouldn’t become American citizens.
    Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The space evoked a transient setting that combined the rough quality of the metal bars with the luxury of the fine, soft furnishing.
    Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Her right eye looked normal, but doctors saw a transient central retinal artery occlusion — a vessel blockage — in her left eye.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • With six more passing yards, Daniels will pass Russell Wilson to rank first among postseason passing yards by a rookie.
    Andrew Greif, NBC News, 23 Jan. 2025
  • In response, the employer lawyers up, too, so its legal costs are rising with every passing day.
    Mark Hillman, The Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The league’s ability to navigate these challenges, while staying true to its core values, will ultimately determine whether the current renaissance is the beginning of a new era or just another fleeting moment in the spotlight.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 27 Jan. 2025
  • But over eight half-hour episodes (including a finale that’s twice that length), those momentary bursts of magic feel all too fleeting.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near momentary

Cite this Entry

“Momentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/momentary. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on momentary

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