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 For Beccaria, an execution’s fleeting spectacle deterred less effectively than lifelong penal servitude. — Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026 This is a place to take a risk, to surrender, and at the very least, to experience something that can only happen for you in that moment — something altogether fleeting that is just yours. — Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026 This isn’t a new era of Swedish exceptionalism, nor a fleeting moment in the sun (despite the dark Nordic winter around the corner). — Jan Larsson, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026 While much of the fashion world became fixated on fleeting trends and virality, Vaccarello’s discipline remained unchallenged. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fleeting

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fleeting

Adjective

San Antonio, Texas, was under a flash-flood warning through Thursday evening, and the city urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

— Fabiola Sanchez, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
On Monday, the flash-flood threat is lower, but locally heavy downpours are possible for parts of the Mid-Atlantic later in the day.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of flash

Adjective

This episode notably lacked any nod to Trump, though mentions of the president as a whole have been brief compared to the previous season, when the president was the show’s focal point for absurd antics.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
The questions came after Zacharia made a brief debut to the media on Tuesday, taking just three questions from reporters after reading off a script.

— Michael Birnbaum The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of brief

Adjective

Reyes said the 24-hour temporary order could be extended to 14 days if necessary.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Reyes had issued a one-day temporary restraining order early Monday morning ahead of the hearing, so her order on Tuesday extends that ban for two weeks.

— Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of temporary

Adjective

Back in February, Wyandotte County commissioners decided that the local government would direct a portion of its future sales, use and transient guest tax revenues to pay for the Chiefs development.

— Sofi Zeman October 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026
Davis, West Sacramento and unincorporated Sacramento County already charge a 12% transient occupancy tax, and Measure X would bring Yolo County’s rate in line with those jurisdictions.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of transient

Adjective

Running back Ousmane Kromah has 565 rushing yards and five touchdowns, while receivers Jayvan Boggs, Duce Robinson and Michai Danzy can all make plays in the passing game.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
Bo Nix continues to struggle to get the passing game going and Seattle’s defense remains among the league’s best across most major statistical categories, making this a tough matchup on a short week.

— Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of passing

Adjective

The motivation to hit the road, present the music and see the faces of the fans is addictive, but after days of long bus rides and transitory environs, there’s a buzz that comes from getting back to the family.

— Tom Roland, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026
Still, there are hints of purpose in such transitory alignments, a sense of intuitive forces at work.

— Reed Jackson, SPIN, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of transitory

Adjective

For me, the name Peck not only encompassed the conflicts in the book (between twin brothers, capitalism and social good, originality and conformity) but also captured the constant ephemeral battle of proving how and why art matters.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026
Aganovic told New Beauty that shoppers are increasingly drawn to fragrances that capture an ephemeral environment, naming clouds, fresh air after a storm and humidity-laden forests as reference points.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of ephemeral

Adjective

That's especially useful to me for computers and long-running 3D prints, where even a momentary interruption can ruin hours or days of work.

— Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
The momentary distraction gives Ellen a clear shot to finish the leader off with an arrow to the chest.

— Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of momentary

Cite this Entry

Style

“Fleeting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fleeting. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of fleeting

adjective

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