transitory

adjective

tran·si·to·ry ˈtran(t)-sə-ˌtȯr-ē

ˈtran-zə-

Synonyms of transitory next

: of brief duration : temporary

the transitory nature of earthly joy

: tending to pass away : not persistent

transitorily

ˌtran(t)-sə-ˈtȯr-ə-lē

ˌtran-zə-

adverb

transitoriness

ˈtran(t)-sə-ˌtȯr-ē-nəs

ˈtran-zə-

noun

Choose the Right Synonym for transitory

transient, transitory, ephemeral, momentary, fugitive, fleeting, evanescent mean lasting or staying only a short time.

transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay.

a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

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

ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration.

many slang words are ephemeral

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

fugitive and fleeting imply passing so quickly as to make apprehending difficult.

let a fugitive smile flit across his face

fleeting moments of joy

evanescent suggests a quick vanishing and an airy or fragile quality.

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

Examples of transitory in a Sentence

the transitory nature of earthly pleasures

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.

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 This holds that the current bout of inflation will prove transitory. —

Sebastian Mallaby, Foreign Affairs, 30 June 2021 Alas, Chiron and all its fellow centaurs are in a transitory phase, and over the next million years its ultimate fate will be decided. —

Keith Cooper, Space.com, 23 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for transitory

Word History

Etymology

Middle English transitorie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin transitorius, from Latin, of or allowing passage, from transire

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of transitory was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Transitory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transitory. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

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Kids Definition

transitory

adjective

tran·si·to·ry ˈtran(t)s-ə-ˌtōr-ē

ˈtranz-

-ˌtȯr-

: lasting only a short time : short-lived, temporary

transitorily

ˌtran(t)s-ə-ˈtōr-ə-lē

ˌtranz-

-ˈtȯr-

adverb

Last Updated: 16 Jan 2025 - Updated example sentences

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transitory

adjective

Synonyms

Examples of transitory in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near transitory

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition