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

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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 Reilly also credits the transitory nature of many residents for making Iowa City so welcoming. —Diana Lambdin Meyer, USA Today, 5 June 2025 The Liberation Day gambit was a minor and transitory phenomenon compared to the vast scale and importance of the Treasury market. —George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025 The city’s inherent transitory nature means there’s always a flow of people coming and going, both domestically and internationally, which makes D.C. ripe for this kind of quiet space for a meeting, political or otherwise. —William Goodman, Robb Report, 1 May 2025 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 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 court's ruling extending its temporary restraining order is disappointing.
    — Dana Afana, Freep.com, 26 July 2025
  • As of Thursday night, more than 100,000 Thai residents had evacuated to temporary shelters, according to the Ministry of Interior.
    — Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 25 July 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
  • The scene grew chaotic after immigration agents tried to arrest Baraka for trespassing, and McIver's elbows appeared to make brief contact with an immigration officer.
    — Sarah N. Lynch, USA Today, 23 July 2025
  • Topline Actor Ike Barinholtz is in talks to portray the world’s richest person, Elon Musk, in an upcoming comedy-drama movie that will reportedly center on the brief ousting of billionaire Sam Altman from the helm of OpenAI in 2023.
    — Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Definition of brief
Adjective
  • Its science objectives include understanding the structure and evolution of the universe, mapping the Milky Way and observing transient astronomical events, but it is also set to revolutionize the detection of interstellar objects (ISOs).
    — Andrew Jones, Space.com, 18 July 2025
  • In addition, a report published in 2016 notes that 94% of Latinos under 18 are U.S.-born, and the majority speak fluent English, underscoring that Latinos are not a transient or external group; they are deeply embedded in the American economy, workforce and future.
    — Ana Valdez, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Definition of transient
Adjective
  • And these public standoffs between Jones and his most important players usually end up being pointlessly fleeting.
    — Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 26 July 2025
  • What might have been a fleeting, lighthearted moment turned viral when viewers realized the pair were executives at the same tech company and neither had intended for their embrace to become a public spectacle.
    — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
Definition of fleeting
Adjective
  • Jake Davis and Manu Garcia combined for a passing sequence that ended with Thommy in a pocket of space on the left wing.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 29 June 2025
  • Earlier this week, the people at PFF put out a stat of the quarterbacks with the most passing and rushing touchdowns since 2022.
    — Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Definition of passing
Adjective
  • Yet the countess’s greatest achievements may have resided in the ephemeral realm of fashion.
    — Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 25 July 2025
  • Agenda items that receive support from the electorate and in Parliament can take years to enact, and by then the country’s famously ephemeral governments often have changed.
    — Massimo Calabresi, Time, 24 July 2025
Definition of ephemeral

Browse Nearby Words

transitoriness
transitory
transits
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Cite this Entry

“Transitory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/transitory. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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