1
as in temporary
intended to last, continue, or serve for a limited time
built an impermanent structure to serve for the archaeologists' living quarters during the dig
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in flash
lasting only for a short time
a summer romance that was an impermanent fancy, quickly forgotten
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 impermanent
Prior to colonization in 1919, Hutus and Tutsi were impermanent economic class categories, likely determined by the number of cattle individuals owned.
—
Anneliese M. Schenk-Day, The Conversation, 5 Apr. 2024
For 20 years, Sinologists have been rightly pointing out the strengths that have helped China avoid pitfalls common to comparable economies and polities, but the pitfalls are still real while the strengths are impermanent.
—Andrew Gilholm, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2017
Most kids who receive gender-affirming care are treated with impermanent courses of action such as speech therapy, puberty blockers or hormone treatments.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 23 July 2024
The method, which is already a possible penalty in Louisiana, is also impermanent.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 4 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for impermanent 
Anneliese M. Schenk-Day, The Conversation, 5 Apr. 2024
For 20 years, Sinologists have been rightly pointing out the strengths that have helped China avoid pitfalls common to comparable economies and polities, but the pitfalls are still real while the strengths are impermanent.
—Andrew Gilholm, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2017
Most kids who receive gender-affirming care are treated with impermanent courses of action such as speech therapy, puberty blockers or hormone treatments.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 23 July 2024
The method, which is already a possible penalty in Louisiana, is also impermanent.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 4 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for impermanent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impermanent
Adjective
-
Bass’ order also establishes task forces for debris removal, mudslide mitigation and to help multifamily development nearing completion receive temporary occupancy approval to make more units available on the market.Liam Dillon, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025
-
As a result, much of the U.S. foreign policy establishment, not just those in Trump’s orbit, view any notable Chinese presence in Greenland, whether temporary or permanent, with concern.Scott L. Montgomery, The Conversation, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Residents who live near the intersection where the accident occurred said the flash mobs of street takeovers have become weekly occurrences in their neighborhood.Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2022
Adjective
-
Today, Sun Art is suffering from declining sales, leading it to shut underperforming stores and laying off almost 20,000 employees, according to its 2024 interim report—its latest financial results available.Yue Wang, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
-
The mother ended up shot in the stomach while the person who grabbed her went unscathed, police interim Chief of Department John Chell said.arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The pair exchanged a few words during the brief interaction.Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 12 Jan. 2025
-
Below are brief descriptions and tasting notes on the 12 casks.Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
These direct-to-consumer moves, which will continue into the new year, bring her brand’s Latin heritage and artisanal craftsmanship to life in both permanent and transient, experiential retail formats.Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 7 Jan. 2025
-
Built around a large neodymium iron boron magnet, the 40mm diameter drivers have a wide dynamic range and nimble transient response.Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
On the upside, Prestige Economics expects any acceleration in the December year-on-year total or core CPI rate would likely be transitory, with lower year-on-year inflation rates in Q2 2025 due to base effects.Jason Schenker, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
-
Popular on Variety The hour plays like a transitory modern version of an old-school Christmas variety special, with each of the guests prompted to loudly sing along to classic holiday tracks as well as their own biggest hits.Chris Willman, Variety, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The author was especially adept at conjuring the bone-deep satisfaction of another ephemeral experience: preparing and consuming food that drew on Black American culinary traditions.Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024
-
The Jewish Food Society, which started as a digital archive to document ephemeral Jewish family recipes passed down in oral histories, reveres the past but isn’t stuck in it; the design is modern, the food styling is vibrant, and the recipes are meticulously tested.Kayla Randall, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
With each passing year, Michaels has added to his list of oracular pronouncements.Susan Morrison, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
-
Despite playing in one more game this season, he's thrown for nearly 300 fewer passing yards and has thrown five more interceptions.Ryan Morik, Fox News, 11 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near impermanent
Cite this Entry
“Impermanent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impermanent. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share