the short term
noun
: a short period of time at the beginning of something
It will meet our needs, at least for the short term.
His plan has advantages over the short term.
—usually used in the phrase in the short termIt won't make any difference in the short term.
These changes may improve profits in the short term, but they are going to cost us money in the long term.
Examples of the short term in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In those environments, a professional athlete and her team may accept high risk in the short term in service of long-term or long-standing goals — as was likely the case with Vonn.
—
Dana Santas, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
But, realistically in the short term, the path to cutting emissions runs through China.
—Justin Worland, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
While this could save the companies some money on possible severance costs in the short term, the overhaul could ultimately be costly for the companies’ reputations.
—Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
Handing out free money would make voters happy in the short term but would ultimately backfire.
—Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the short term
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Dana Santas, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
But, realistically in the short term, the path to cutting emissions runs through China.
—Justin Worland, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
While this could save the companies some money on possible severance costs in the short term, the overhaul could ultimately be costly for the companies’ reputations.
—Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
Handing out free money would make voters happy in the short term but would ultimately backfire.
—Rogé Karma, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the short term
Cite this Entry
“The short term.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20short%20term. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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