FUGITIVE Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

fugitive 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfyü-jə-tiv

Definition of fugitive next

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

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

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

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

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

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

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

There, rising from fugitive to fearless warrior, the princess unites warring tribes for a final stand in the Battle of Dhi Qar, a clash that will change history forever. —

Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 12 Mar. 2026 Within the sector, metal production accounts for 8% of total emissions, while mining, driven largely by fugitive emissions from coal, makes up the remaining 3%. —

Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 10 Mar. 2026

Noun

Six months later, last May, Duarte was lugged again, in New Bedford, by the Mass State Police, on a fugitive-from-justice court warrant. —

Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026 Both Liaw and Chang have been arrested while Sun remains a fugitive. —

Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fugitive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fugitive

Adjective

This stunningly beautiful scientific film features footage of the elusive giant squid in its natural habitat, and the earliest images of deep-sea bioluminescence.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
Indeed, absolute perfection is elusive.

— Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026

Definition of elusive

Browse Nearby Words

fuggy

fugitive

fugitiveness

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“Fugitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fugitive. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of fugitive

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Synonyms of fugitive

adjective

noun

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