Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of fleeting are ephemeral, evanescent, fugitive, momentary, transient, and transitory. While all these words mean "lasting or staying only a short time," fugitive and fleeting imply passing so quickly as to make apprehending difficult.

let a fugitive smile flit across his face
fleeting moments of joy

In what contexts can ephemeral take the place of fleeting?

The words ephemeral and fleeting are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration.

many slang words are ephemeral

Where would evanescent be a reasonable alternative to fleeting?

While the synonyms evanescent and fleeting are close in meaning, evanescent suggests a quick vanishing and an airy or fragile quality.

the story has an evanescent touch of whimsy that is lost in translation

When is it sensible to use momentary instead of fleeting?

The synonyms momentary and fleeting are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 transient be a better fit than fleeting?

The meanings of transient and fleeting largely overlap; however, 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 fleeting?

The words transitory and fleeting 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 fleeting An escaped convict shoots a grandmother three times in the chest after experiencing a fleeting moment of connection. Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Mar. 2025 But for me, what makes the show so captivating is its humanity: the riveting, fleeting moments when the characters feel real, despite the eggy, etherized monstrousness of the world they’re trapped in. Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2025 Fun fact: The brand name Monos is inspired by the Japanese concept of mono no aware, which encourages seeing the beauty of fleeting moments. Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 20 Mar. 2025 Just as a strong relationship isn’t defined by a single conversation, confidence comes from recognizing long-term patterns rather than reacting to fleeting moments. Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fleeting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fleeting
Adjective
  • Don’t let the lack of flash fool you — this guy is the real deal.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The German figures come a day before the scheduled release of flash inflation data for the euro area, which will be closely watched by investors for guidance on the odds of another interest rate cut from the European Central Bank.
    Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • During a brief news conference, Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad said officials could not take questions, citing the ongoing investigation and pending litigation.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The show had a brief run Off Broadway in 1996, then lived on with a miniature national tour and a beloved cast recording.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The high court opinion comes just as the judge who issued the temporary restraining order was mulling whether to hold Trump administration officials in contempt for violating his order to pause last month’s flights of Venezuelan migrants to a prison in El Salvador.
    David Catanese, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The project feeds on the temporary abundance of glacial meltwater.
    Ari Caramanica, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • However, for mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, suicidal ideation can be a transient state, according to Duckworth.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Investigation is harder, too, when the victims are transient and/or vulnerable, as many of LISK’s victims were.
    Aja Romano, Vox, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • No more passing responsibility onto your upstream providers or downstream users.
    Stephanie Domas, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • More funding than ever is being dedicated to better connectivity and more energy, and new projects are sprouting up everywhere with each passing moment.
    Giuseppe Incitti, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The Trump administration’s assurance that the American economy will experience a transitory period is a promise greatly supported by America’s leading Technology and Information sector.
    Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • But on Wednesday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell labeled the potential effect of tariffs on inflation as likely being short-lived or transitory.
    Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Stay True To Your Brand Do not try to adopt a philosophy to address what is happening in the moment because the news cycle today can be ephemeral.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Away from the game’s heartlands in Kolkata, Kerala and the country’s north east, there is a feeling its presence is fragile, ephemeral, a sudden explosion of glitter and sparkle that may yet disappear in a puff of smoke.
    Rory Smith, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • What more can brands like adidas do to move from momentary gestures to systemic impact?
    Stephanie Tharpe, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Sarah’s demise happens early on in the film, but her presence is still peppered throughout via flashbacks, momentary flashes mid-scene and photographic reminders.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fleeting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fleeting. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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