ephemeral

adjective

i-ˈfe-mə-rəl How to pronounce ephemeral (audio)
Definition of ephemeralnext
as in flash
lasting only for a short time the autumnal blaze of colors is always to be treasured, all the more so because it is so ephemeral

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of ephemeral are evanescent, fleeting, fugitive, momentary, transient, and transitory. While all these words mean "lasting or staying only a short time," ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration.

many slang words are ephemeral

When would evanescent be a good substitute for ephemeral?

The words evanescent and ephemeral are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 ephemeral?

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 could momentary be used to replace ephemeral?

The words momentary and ephemeral can be used in similar contexts, but 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 ephemeral?

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

a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

When can transitory be used instead of ephemeral?

In some situations, the words transitory and ephemeral are roughly equivalent. However, 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 ephemeral Such is the case with Tyla, who wore a Balmain gown made of sand to match 2024's theme of the ephemeral nature of fashion. —Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 5 May 2025 The exhibit will showcase items with a focus on themes of transformation, preservation, and fashion's role in capturing the ephemeral nature of beauty. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025 Organizations run workloads across AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and on-prem data centers—all while managing sprawling APIs, ephemeral containers, and third-party integrations. —Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 But that relief was as ephemeral as one of her conceptual art pieces. —Paul Liberatore, Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ephemeral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ephemeral
  1. flash
  2. temporary
  3. brief
  4. transient
  5. fleeting
  6. passing
  7. transitory
  8. evanescent
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
  • 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
  • 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 tall, free-standing treehouses were designed to be folded and moved elsewhere by their inhabitants who, because of the area’s vulnerability to climate change, live a transitory lifestyle.
    — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
  • Reilly also credits the transitory nature of many residents for making Iowa City so welcoming.
    — Diana Lambdin Meyer, USA Today, 5 June 2025
Definition of transitory
Adjective
  • The benefits of being a statesman, analysts say, can be evanescent if domestic woes keep piling up.
    — Mark Landler, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The benefits of being a statesman, analysts say, can be evanescent if domestic woes keep piling up.
    — Mark Landler, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of evanescent

Browse Nearby Words

ephemera
ephemeral
ephemerality
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on ephemeral

Nglish: Translation of ephemeral for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ephemeral

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