short-lived

adjective

ˈshȯrt-ˈlivd How to pronounce short-lived (audio)
also
-ˈlīvd How to pronounce short-lived (audio)
Synonyms of short-livednext
: not living or lasting long
short-lived insects
short-lived joy

Synonyms of short-lived

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Examples of short-lived in a Sentence

the skier's triumph turned out to be short-lived, as the next competitor bested her time
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
CoreWeave — Shares of the neocloud provider fell 10% as Thursday's bounce was short-lived. — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 Combs returned to the prison later that day — but that return stint was short-lived, as Combs was transferred on Friday to the minimum-security FCI Allenwood Low in Allenwood, Pennsylvania. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 The Dodgers’ lead was short-lived, as Jake Bauers hit a two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning after an epic battle with Blake Snell to put the Brewers ahead 3-2. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Tatham, after all, worked on what was once of my favorite Disneyland projects, the great but short-lived Legends of Frontierland. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for short-lived

Word History

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of short-lived was in 1588

Rhymes for short-lived

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Browse Nearby Words

short list
short-lived
short-livedness
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Cite this Entry

“Short-lived.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/short-lived. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

short-lived

adjective
ˈshȯrt-ˈlīvd, 
-ˌlivd
: living or lasting only a short time
short-lived blooms
short-lived joy
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