FLEETING Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

fleeting

adjective

ˈflē-tiŋ

Definition of fleeting

as in flash

lasting only for a short time had a fleeting desire to jump into the cool lake but kept on hiking

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 This evolution promises a hybrid entertainment landscape, blending social platforms' immediacy with television's structured storytelling, fostering deeper audience engagement beyond fleeting algorithmic feeds. — Novika Ishar, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Bearing witness to that vanishing is a rare and fleeting privilege. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 10 Aug. 2026 The harvest’s fleeting nature means the window to catch these seasonal delights is closing, so pull up a seat before the season makes its inevitable exit. — Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Together, the collections make a compelling case that fashion’s fascination with the sea isn’t just a fleeting summer obsession. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fleeting

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fleeting

Adjective

Parts of Connecticut and New York, including the Albany area, remained under flash-flood warnings on Wednesday morning.

— Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 29 July 2026
Slow-moving storms may pose flash-flood risks across large portions of North, West, Central, South and East Texas beginning on Sunday, June 12, with the main threats expected early to mid-week.

— Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 14 July 2026

Definition of flash

Adjective

Deputies and police officers already at the courthouse pursued Guerrero during a brief foot chase and captured him, officials said.

— Richard Ramos, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Men’s domestic cricket in Pakistan, aside from a brief spell from 2019 to 2023 while former Test captain Imran Khan was the country’s prime minister and instigated change, is divided between teams from regions and departments.

— Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of brief

Adjective

Situated on the plaza between the Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool, the pop-up monument is a temporary tribute honoring the names of almost every person who has served in the military since the nation’s inception.

— Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026
The company delivered 11,000 rollbacks, temporary price cuts, in the second quarter, compared to 7,200 in the first quarter, Walmart president and CEO John Furner said on Thursday's earnings call.

— Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of temporary

Adjective

The Fed woke up from its dream of transitory inflation and began to raise rates.

— Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
On the National Mall this week, Freedom 250 signs pointed visitors toward temporary state pavilions, a Ferris wheel and mobile, transitory history exhibits.

— Luke Fountain, CNBC, 3 July 2026

Definition of transitory

Adjective

Traditional cybersecurity, particularly Zero Trust's reliance on identity, is insufficient for these autonomous, ephemeral agents.

— Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
The works are considered an exclamatory response to the institutional question of how to collect and display dance, a typically ephemeral form.

— News Desk, Artforum, 29 July 2026

Definition of ephemeral

Adjective

The governors of New York and of Texas, otherwise on opposite sides of the political spectrum, have both imposed momentary moratoriums on building them.

— Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026
When not pulled into their own circuits, this can cause a momentary flicker due to a voltage drop that affects the entire home.

— Bianca Lambert, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of momentary

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“Fleeting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fleeting. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of fleeting

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