the short term
noun
: a short period of time at the beginning of something
It will meet our needs, at least for the short term.
His plan has advantages over the short term.
—usually used in the phrase in the short termIt won't make any difference in the short term.
These changes may improve profits in the short term, but they are going to cost us money in the long term.
Examples of the short term in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Reality check: The legislation is a long shot, at least in the short term.
—
Alan Neuhauser, Axios, 9 Apr. 2025
These initiatives, while costly in the short term, promise to secure the nation’s drug supply and create domestic jobs.
—Rita Numerof, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Experts said the decline in oil prices means consumers will likely see lower gas prices in the short term.
—Kate Marijolovic, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2025
While the 10-year Treasury note might attract some buyers in the short term, pushing down yields and making things like mortgages and other credit products more affordable for consumers, that’s likely to fade quickly, Blitz thinks.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the short term
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Alan Neuhauser, Axios, 9 Apr. 2025
These initiatives, while costly in the short term, promise to secure the nation’s drug supply and create domestic jobs.
—Rita Numerof, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Experts said the decline in oil prices means consumers will likely see lower gas prices in the short term.
—Kate Marijolovic, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2025
While the 10-year Treasury note might attract some buyers in the short term, pushing down yields and making things like mortgages and other credit products more affordable for consumers, that’s likely to fade quickly, Blitz thinks.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the short term
Cite this Entry
“The short term.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20short%20term. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
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