impermanent

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈpər-mə-nənt How to pronounce impermanent (audio)
Definition of impermanentnext
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

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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

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 impermanent Several—Forti and Smith among them—were performance artists, whose impermanent work is notoriously difficult to sell. — News Desk, Artforum, 27 Apr. 2026 Time is impermanent, but timelessness can be built, swish by swish. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2026 But public art is impermanent by design; posters may last months or disappear within hours. — Yamlek Mojica, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026 And executive orders are famously impermanent. — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for impermanent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impermanent
  1. temporary
  2. flash
  3. interim
  4. brief
  5. transient
  6. transitory
  7. ephemeral
  8. passing
Adjective
  • Aston Villa loanee Evann Guessand gets the temporary nod on the left over Yeremy Pino, who returned late after World Cup duty with Spain.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The phrase describes a common, temporary condition that research shows affects about 80% of people who give birth.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of temporary
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
  • Since the team returned to training, with second-team head coach Ryan Richter elevated to interim boss of the first team, the Union has taken off.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • After parting ways with head coach Marin Sjögren and assistant coach Anders Jacobson, Karina Báez made her debut as interim coach for Chicago.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of interim
Adjective
  • Domestic deployments have generally been reserved for relatively brief moments of extraordinary unrest, major security threats or natural disasters.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Discussion of the matter during Monday’s meeting was brief and dismissed, as the agenda instead focused on potential CFP expansion to 16 and 24 teams.
    — Chris Vannini, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of brief
Adjective
  • Most of the human presence in that region is transient—tourists who marvel at nature and soon depart.
    — Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Students will encounter larger classes, fewer course offerings and a more transient instructional workforce.
    — Francisco Ruiz, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of transient
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
  • While the departure of running back David Montgomery and the acquisition of Isiah Pacheco deserve a passing glance during preseason, everyone knows this is Jahmyr Gibbs' backfield.
    — Gladys Louise Tyler, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • May 21 – June 20 One idea is ready to become more than a passing thought.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of passing

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impermanency
impermanent
impermeable
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Cite this Entry

“Impermanent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impermanent. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of impermanent for Spanish Speakers

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