fugitive 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfyü-jə-tiv How to pronounce fugitive (audio)
Definition of fugitivenext
1
as in elusive
hard to find, capture, or isolate that fugitive trait called artistic creativity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in flash
lasting only for a short time had fugitive thoughts of leaving town after finishing high school but never acted on them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nomadic
traveling from place to place a small fugitive circus that traveled the countryside

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fugitive

2 of 2

noun

as in alien

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
He was listed as a major case fugitive by the U.S. Marshals Service, and was being considered for elevation to the agency's 15 Most Wanted fugitives listed, the USMS said in a news release. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2025 Her fugitive status ended this weekend when Yolanda Marodi was arrested in Mexico. —Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
Some were fugitives facing charges of murder, drug trafficking and organized crime. —Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 27 Mar. 2025 Quintero, who at one point topped the FBI’s list of most wanted fugitives, was arrested in Mexico in a dramatic 2022 capture. —John Annese, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fugitive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fugitive
  1. elusive
  2. flash
  3. nomadic
  4. alien
  5. temporary
  6. refugee
  7. transient
  8. brief
Adjective
  • About 'The Legend of Ochi' In a remote village on the island of Carpathia, a shy teenage farm girl named Yuri is raised to fear an elusive animal species known as the Ochi.
    — DeVonne Goode, Parents, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The families live a nomadic existence in search of agricultural work and in the hope of the elusive rain that will enable the growing of crops.
    — Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of elusive
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
  • Making The Best Choice For Your Needs Despite these limitations, the Portuguese Golden Visa may still be appropriate for some Americans, such as those seeking a long-term nomadic lifestyle throughout Europe, where the minimal physical presence requirement is advantageous.
    — Alex Recouso, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The two spent six weeks making a film documentary of Inuit people living a nomadic lifestyle.
    — Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of nomadic
Noun
  • With each passing episode, Adair seems more like an alien doing her best Below Deck cast member imitation.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The psychiatrist had advised her not to specifically describe the aliens.
    — Elif Batuman, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of alien
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
Noun
  • Among them are World Relief Texas, a Christian humanitarian organization focused on aiding refugees and other immigrants; Catholic Charities Fort Worth; and the Junior League of Fort Worth’s MINTS program, which stands for Mentoring, Inspiring, Nurturing, Tutoring and Supporting.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The refugee overcame many hardships and started a trading business in 1952.
    — Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of refugee
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
  • 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

Browse Nearby Words

fuggy
fugitive
fugitiveness
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on fugitive

Nglish: Translation of fugitive for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fugitive

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