MOMENTARY Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'momentary' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of momentary are ephemeral , evanescent , fleeting , fugitive , transient , and transitory . While all these words mean "lasting or staying only a short time," 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: When might 'ephemeral' be a better fit than 'momentary'?

Although the words ephemeral and momentary have much in common, ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration. // many slang words are ephemeral

Q: When would 'evanescent' be a good substitute for 'momentary'?

In some situations, the words evanescent and momentary 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: How are the words 'fugitive' and 'fleeting' related as synonyms of 'momentary'?

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

Q: Where would 'transient' be a reasonable alternative to 'momentary'?

The synonyms transient and momentary are sometimes interchangeable, but transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay. // a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

Q: When is 'transitory' a more appropriate choice than 'momentary'?

The words transitory and momentary 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

momentary

adjective

ˈmō-mən-ˌter-ē

Definition of momentary next

as in flash

lasting only for a short time the pain of the flu shot was only momentary

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

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

When might ephemeral be a better fit than momentary?

Although the words ephemeral and momentary have much in common, ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration.

many slang words are ephemeral

When would evanescent be a good substitute for momentary?

In some situations, the words evanescent and momentary 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

How are the words fugitive and fleeting related as synonyms of momentary?

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

Where would transient be a reasonable alternative to momentary?

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

a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

When is transitory a more appropriate choice than momentary?

The words transitory and momentary 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 momentary And to feel momentary dismay and stress and sadness or anxiety in response to it strikes me as a normal human response to an abnormal event. —

Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 28 Jan. 2026 That momentary unmasking could give the immune system a chance to recognize the parasite and stop the invasion. —

Kwesi Akonu Adom Mensah Forson, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026 The shrouding haze seemed to breathe, ebbing and flowing slowly, allowing momentary distant views that vanished with the next foggy breath. —

Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026 And send Bryant’s mother, Louanne Harris-Bryant, to the hospital herself, in momentary shock and dehydration. —

Luca Evans, Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for momentary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for momentary

Adjective

Broccoli and Cauliflower Hearty bite-sized florets of broccoli and cauliflower are typically flash-frozen soon after harvest and maintain their crisp-tender texture when cooked from frozen.

— Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 8 Feb. 2026
To hear top analyst Tom Lee, of Fundstrat, describe the situation, farming never recovered from the invention of flash-frozen foods in the 1920s.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 16 Jan. 2026

Definition of flash

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“Momentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/momentary. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 15 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of momentary

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