TEMPORARY Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

temporary 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtem-pə-ˌrer-ē

Definition of temporary

as in interim

intended to last, continue, or serve for a limited time summer workers looking for temporary accommodations in private homes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in flash

lasting only for a short time a temporary lapse of memory

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in provisional

serving in a position for the time being the temporary head of the sales division

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

temporary

2 of 2

noun

as in temp

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 temporary

Adjective

According to city documents, the board approved a right-of-way permit for 61st Avenue restriping and temporary signals for data center construction traffic. — Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026 Analysts said Novo benefited from rebate adjustments and other temporary factors during the quarter. — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026

Noun

Following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, large areas of farmland were treated similarly, and contaminated topsoil was removed and stored in temporary as well as long-term facilities. — Eduardo B. Farfán, The Conversation, 21 Apr. 2026 California voters will have to approve the temporary in a special election in November. — Terry Collins, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for temporary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for temporary

Adjective

Ships would cross the strait without paying fees or tolls during the interim period.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
In addition, the relevance of cell and animal studies depends on the dose, route of exposure, duration and how closely the study conditions reflect real-world use, said Mike Gruber, interim CEO for the Household & Commercial Products Association.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of interim

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

The court has ordered provisional measures but has not ruled that Israel committed genocide.

— Arielle Kaden, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026
The provisional estimate for the year to date is 14,526, 43% lower than last year and 14% below the equivalent period in 2024.

— Philip Aldrick, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of provisional

Adjective

The logic, as Naga Chaitanya explained, was not about short-term returns.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
All that, combined with a packed list of votes including on a short-term funding bill and the narrow confirmation of Todd Blanche for Attorney General, pushed the PCSA toward the back of the Senate's agenda.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of short-term

Adjective

That will be followed by a brief break, before returning to the field in August and aligning to the traditional autumn-to-spring schedule most of the world’s top leagues observe.

— John Cassillo, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Before her brief appearance, Ned and MJ are in a tense standoff with Peter, who just emerged from the multiverse to help save their universe’s Spider-Man, played by Tom Holland.

— Jack Dunn, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of brief

Noun

The brand introduced professional instructors who travel across the country to train and support Claire’s store associates.

— Sharon Edelson, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Western governments have shunned and sanctioned Min Aung Hlaing and his associates for overthrowing Suu Kyi's government.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of associate

Adjective

These facilities can support fuel qualification, materials testing, transient behavior studies, and other technical work needed before a first-of-a-kind reactor can enter service.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
Unionization is challenging with a large, disparate and transient group of athletes.

— Justin Williams, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of transient

Browse Nearby Words

temporariness

temporary

temporize

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Temporary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temporary. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of temporary

adjective

noun

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