TRANSIENT Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'transient' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of transient are ephemeral , evanescent , fleeting , fugitive , momentary , and transitory . While all these words 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

Q: When could 'ephemeral' be used to replace 'transient'?

The synonyms ephemeral and transient are sometimes interchangeable, but ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration. // many slang words are ephemeral

Q: Where would 'evanescent' be a reasonable alternative to 'transient'?

In some situations, the words evanescent and transient are roughly equivalent. However, 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: How do 'fugitive' and 'fleeting' relate to one another, in the sense of 'transient'?

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

Q: In what contexts can 'momentary' take the place of 'transient'?

The words momentary and transient are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 'transitory' be a better fit than 'transient'?

The words transitory and transient 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

transient 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtran(t)-sh(ē-)ənt

Definition of transient

as in temporary

lasting only for a short time had transient thoughts of quitting her job and going back to school

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

transient

2 of 2

noun

as in drifter

Related Words

as in tourist

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of transient are ephemeral, evanescent, fleeting, fugitive, momentary, and transitory. While all these words 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

When could ephemeral be used to replace transient?

The synonyms ephemeral and transient are sometimes interchangeable, but ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration.

many slang words are ephemeral

Where would evanescent be a reasonable alternative to transient?

In some situations, the words evanescent and transient are roughly equivalent. However, 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 do fugitive and fleeting relate to one another, in the sense of transient?

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

In what contexts can momentary take the place of transient?

The words momentary and transient are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 transitory be a better fit than transient?

The words transitory and transient 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 transient

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

Noun

The Alameda County Coroner’s Bureau is still trying to identify the man, believed to be a transient, authorities said. — Harry Harris, Mercury News, 17 June 2026 Trash and graffiti accumulated; a maintenance worker was reportedly chased off by a machete-wielding transient. — Max Kutner, HollywoodReporter, 7 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for transient

Recent Examples of Synonyms for transient

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

Noun

Babylon 5 followed the diplomats, soldiers, and drifters aboard the station, built as neutral ground between humans and a handful of alien civilizations teetering on the edge of war.

— JP Mangalindan, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026
According to Rouse, the album grew out of observations gathered while traveling, with its songs populated by drifters, dreamers and fleeting encounters that blur the line between fiction and autobiography.

— SPIN Staff, SPIN, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of drifter

Noun

The Fisherman's Wharf Community Benefit District said the opening matters because the neighborhood is more than a tourist stop.

— CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Police allege the man entered South Korea on a tourist visa several times from January 2024 and stayed about a week for each trip.

— Yoonjung Seo, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of tourist

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

Noun

Across the planet, most populations of monarch butterflies—in Spain, in Hawaii—are likely descended from vagrants that veered off the Mexico migration path.

— Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
In August, Denver fined GFI $140,000 for letting the building become a magnet for vandals, vagrants and urban explorers who trespass and post videos on TikTok.

— Thomas Gounley, Denver Post, 9 July 2026

Definition of vagrant

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

Noun

Anyway, no longer satisfied with making sure that the theatrical trains run on time, Anna is a national parks vagabond, going from job to job, never laying down roots.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026
His divorces ultimately left him scrambling for stability and turned him into a kind of moneyed vagabond, living out of suitcases.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 May 2026

Definition of vagabond

Browse Nearby Words

transiency

transient

transients

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of transient

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on transient

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

zeugma

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes