momentary

adjective

ˈmō-mən-ˌter-ē How to pronounce momentary (audio)
Definition of momentarynext
as in flash
lasting only for a short time the pain of the flu shot was only momentary

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 The country songs succeeding in this era also highlight how timeless artistry can cement a momentary trend for a generation. —Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 At the Sintra gathering, an annual forum sponsored by the European Central Bank and akin to the Fed's own yearly gathering at Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Powell got at least a momentary reprieve. —Francesco Canepa, USA Today, 2 July 2025 After Israel struck the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander in June, killing men responsible for torture, executions and massacres, some civilians felt momentary relief. —Ava Homa, Mercury News, 2 July 2025 Because all of the major waves of selling in the wake of some incident of uncertainty were caused by momentary risk that did not ultimately threaten stocks, or the banking system — or, ultimately, the economy. —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for momentary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for momentary
  1. flash
  2. brief
  3. temporary
  4. transient
  5. passing
  6. fleeting
Adjective
  • Thursday's weekly jobless claims numbers and S&P Global's flash PMI data will be closely assessed to gauge economic health in the wake of tariff uncertainties.
    — Nikhil Sharma, USA Today, 23 July 2025
  • Focus now shifts to Thursday’s weekly jobless claims numbers and S&P Global’s flash PMI data to gauge economic health in the wake of tariff uncertainties.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 23 July 2025
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
  • The court's ruling extending its temporary restraining order is disappointing.
    — Dana Afana, Freep.com, 26 July 2025
  • The landscape could be different in a year’s time if Ferguson’s latest temporary exit goes to plan.
    — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 25 July 2025
Definition of temporary
Adjective
  • Born in northern Iran, near the Caspian Sea, Kamran’s childhood was somewhat transient due to her father’s work for the department of educations, which kept the family moving every four or five years.
    — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 25 July 2025
  • It was surrounded on every side by a moat-like parking lot, every parking space neatly marked by diagonal lines, white for transient parking, yellow for monthly parking, green for the building’s maintenance personnel.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 July 2025
Definition of transient
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
  • 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

Browse Nearby Words

momentariness
momentary
moment of truth
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Momentary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/momentary. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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