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

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 Daniel takes advantage of this momentary distraction to deliver a left hook, right punch to the gut, asking Lestat about his maker, Magnus (Damien Atkins). —

Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 22 June 2026 By graduating from a 17-company backlog of pending CFTC applications submitted in the past year, ProphetX has gained a momentary edge over direct competitors that haven’t been approved yet. —

Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 16 June 2026 Most of them are innocuous, momentary, and meaningful. —

Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026 Yet the momentary surprise was not enough to affect a single note of my playing, a fact which pleased me. —

Literary Hub, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for momentary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for momentary

Adjective

In fact, the weather service said that more than 50% of flash-flood deaths happen in vehicles driven into floodwaters.

— Doyle Rice, USA Today, 16 June 2026
Don’t miss Alcopop’s Black Mango Watermelon, Seongju Chamoe and Watermelon Ice Pop; Matcha Latte, with flash-frozen local herbs and a hand-cut ice diamond; and Journey, a concoction that maps a tomato’s global odyssey.

— Melinda Sheckells, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026

Definition of flash

Adjective

Things settled down quickly after that, though the brief dustup ended with Contreras, Boston interim manager Chad Tracy, Boston outfielder Nate Eaton and Mikolas being ejected.

— CBS News, CBS News, 1 July 2026
The ordinance marks a brief respite in the monthslong scramble to adapt to the broad changes brought by SB 79.

— Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Definition of brief

Adjective

Rodríguez said emergency economic measures will include relief funds for victims and temporary waivers on documentation and property registration fees to facilitate housing relocation.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Under Venezuela’s constitution, temporary absences are to be filled by the vice president — which was Rodríguez’s former role — for up to 90 days.

— Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of temporary

Adjective

The bears seen in large urban centers and agricultural areas, like the southeastern corners of the state and parts of the western border, are generally transient, as those areas don't have enough woods to create a good habitat.

— Finch Walker, USA Today, 4 July 2026
The guest population is transient, with many checking in for short stays on their way in or out of town.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2026

Definition of transient

Adjective

The Krewe of Gemini, a Mardi Gras organization in the Shreveport-Bossier community of which Watson, his wife and one of their daughters were members, also mourned his passing Wednesday.

— Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026
Moore was a consistent presence for Young in the passing game during OTAs with McMillan (foot) sidelined.

— Mike Kaye June 16, Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2026