the long term

noun

: a long period of time after the beginning of something
She is investing for the long term.
I think it's the better choice over the long term.
an investment that should do well in the long term
These changes may improve profits now, but they are going to cost us money in the long term.

Examples of the long term in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In the long term, Cena could and should end his career as a beloved fan favorite because, well, this heel shtick simply isn’t cutting it. Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025 More broadly—and perhaps most important in the long term—the Trump administration is less inclined to take on the assertive role that America has traditionally played in the Middle East, and which Israel has come to depend on. Daniel Byman, The Atlantic, 24 May 2025 Critics warn that aspects like automation, artificial intelligence, and blips in the global supply chain make such goals enviable but unrealistic in the long term. Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025 In the long term, family offices have a mixed outlook, with 29% intending to increase their allocation over the next five years while 19% plan to decrease. Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for the long term

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“The long term.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20long%20term. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!