as in brief
lasting only for a short time
the skier's triumph turned out to be short-lived, as the next competitor bested her time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 short-lived
But his freedom was short-lived when he was captured and jailed under the Fugitive Slave Act.
—
La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 17 Sep. 2025
As a result, these first stars, which still have yet to be spotted, were likely very high in mass, and very short-lived as a result.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 16 Sep. 2025
This period of independence was short-lived.
—Anahid Nersessian, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
His run was short-lived, as John Cena tossed him out in just over two minutes.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for short-lived
La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 17 Sep. 2025
As a result, these first stars, which still have yet to be spotted, were likely very high in mass, and very short-lived as a result.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 16 Sep. 2025
This period of independence was short-lived.
—Anahid Nersessian, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
His run was short-lived, as John Cena tossed him out in just over two minutes.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for short-lived
Recent Examples of Synonyms for short-lived
Adjective
-
In a brief video snippet accompanying the post, Cyrus is seen in close-up staring directly into the camera while wearing what looks like surgical gauze around her chin and head as more white material is blown by a breeze around her face.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Broader market reactions have been muted, barring brief spikes in oil prices when Israel entered direct confrontations with Hamas’ crude-rich patron Iran and with other of Tehran’s proxies, such as Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis.—
Ruxandra Iordache,Emma Graham,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
There is, actually, another category of nail lovers that has emerged in recent years, and those are people who swear by temporary press-ons.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Cook sued over the firing, being granted a temporary restraining order by Judge Jia Cobb last week.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
What To Know A map shared by the NWS on Facebook showed a broad corridor of flash-flood risk spanning the Western states and Southern Plains.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Aug. 2025
-
The emerging miners, exposed directly to the flash during its first split second, were covered in flash-absorbing black.—
Charles Pellegrino,
Rolling Stone,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
In healthy people, a transient increase in the morning blood pressure is normal and generally of no concern.—
MD Published,
Verywell Health,
13 Sep. 2025
-
That promise now feels increasingly tenuous; few of the permanent employees have been hired yet, the complex is still under construction, and most of the workforce are transient staff on temporary visas or contracts – like the ones swept up by ICE.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Fitzgerald immediately worked his way into the safety rotation, playing snaps in select situations of the Hurricanes’ season-opening win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and has gained more playing time each passing week.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Wide receiver Rashee Rice, arguably their biggest threat in their passing game, has served two games of his six-game suspension, and Thornton has filled in nicely for Rice so far.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
All perfumes pull a disappearing act at some point during the day, but Coty has figured out a way to make their fragrances less fleeting.—
Megan McIntyre,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
For this reason, Mackinac Island is the perfect backdrop for leaf peeping, which is all about taking a quiet moment to enjoy something fleeting.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The solution is zero standing privilege with ephemeral access, ensuring users get just-in-time rights only when needed.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Embellishments are cropping up not just in contemporary furnishings but in ephemeral accessories.—
Adrian Madlener,
Curbed,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Short-lived.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/short-lived. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share