Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of ephemeral are evanescent, fleeting, fugitive, momentary, transient, and transitory. While all these words mean "lasting or staying only a short time," ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration.

many slang words are ephemeral

When would evanescent be a good substitute for ephemeral?

The words evanescent and ephemeral are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, evanescent suggests a quick vanishing and an airy or fragile quality.

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

How are the words fugitive and fleeting related as synonyms of ephemeral?

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

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

When could momentary be used to replace ephemeral?

The words momentary and ephemeral can be used in similar contexts, 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

In what contexts can transient take the place of ephemeral?

The synonyms transient and ephemeral are sometimes interchangeable, but transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay.

a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

When can transitory be used instead of ephemeral?

In some situations, the words transitory and ephemeral are roughly equivalent. However, 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 ephemeral Everyone seeks happiness in the pleasures of ephemeral things. Holly Jones, Variety, 21 Jan. 2025 This makes ink caps one of our greatest reminders of how ephemeral life is in the fungal kingdom. Scott Travers, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024 This delight at lifeforms at once so ancient, dainty and ephemeral colors the Mira Stella universe. Lily Templeton, WWD, 26 Sep. 2024 The legacy-building was set in motion by Elizabeth Peabody herself, who doggedly transcribed the group’s conversations when Fuller worried that talk was too ephemeral to make a historical impact. Francesca Wade, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ephemeral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ephemeral
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
  • The creation of a temporary Palestinian administration of 15 to 20 people is being discussed, including with Israel.
    Aya Batrawy, NPR, 3 Mar. 2025
  • In that scenario, patches would begin appearing on jerseys almost immediately, and temporary signage would be installed on the stadium currently known as Nationals Park within a few weeks.
    Brett Knight, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The world in brief Expert claims Russia violating rights BANGUI, Central African Republic -- An independent investigator is claiming United Nations peacekeeping forces and Russian mercenaries are carrying out human rights violations in the Central African Republic.
    Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 1 Mar. 2025
  • The Kurdish people have had a complicated relationship with Erdogan, who courted them during his early years in power by granting them more rights and reversing restrictions on the use of their language, and worked on the brief peace process with the PKK.
    Eyad Kourdi, CNN, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The pod, believed to be comprised of Bigg's or transient whales, was spotted visiting Elliott Bay, seemingly to take a bite out of its aviation population.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The threat of tornadoes is most significant in southern Mississippi and southern Louisiana, where thunderstorms have already led to some severe wind gusts and transient circulations.
    Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Another reality is that Kyle Lowry came with an expiration date and Terry Rozier has had only fleeting moments of success.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Harry himself makes only a fleeting appearance in the final episode, but his presence was felt behind the scenes.
    Erin Hill, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The media scrutiny on Forest has increased exponentially with each passing week that their unexpected Champions League qualification challenge has been maintained.
    Paul Taylor, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
  • The Toyota was pushed into the far left lane, and debris from the crash damaged a passing Mercedes.
    Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Related Articles Now, Detroit, which has gone from one of the league’s most disappointing teams to its one of its hottest after hiring a name-brand coach in Todd McLellan, cleared some salary cap space ahead of the trade deadline, while the Ducks plugged a transitory hole in their goalie pipeline.
    Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Some Republican economists also dismissed the idea that the fiscal stimulus would be inflationary, and financial markets suggested that investors believed that inflation would be transitory.
    Jason Furman, Foreign Affairs, 10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The finished product is bright and evanescent, sweet but not too sweet, celebratory, fun, and delicious.
    Erik Ofgang, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Sketches and blackouts are often evanescent, like an idea sketched on a cocktail napkin; some last only a few seconds yet might have been fiendishly complicated to prepare and execute.
    Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2023

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Cite this Entry

“Ephemeral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ephemeral. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

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