FUGITIVE Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of fugitive are ephemeral , evanescent , fleeting , 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: When is 'ephemeral' a more appropriate choice than 'fugitive'?

The meanings of ephemeral and fugitive largely overlap; however, ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration. // many slang words are ephemeral

Q: When is it sensible to use 'evanescent' instead of 'fugitive'?

In some situations, the words evanescent and fugitive 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: When can 'momentary' be used instead of 'fugitive'?

While in some cases nearly identical to fugitive , 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: Where would 'transient' be a reasonable alternative to 'fugitive'?

The words transient and fugitive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay. // a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

Q: In what contexts can 'transitory' take the place of 'fugitive'?

The words transitory and fugitive 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

fugitive 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfyü-jə-tiv

Definition of fugitive

as in elusive

hard to find, capture, or isolate that fugitive trait called artistic creativity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in flash

lasting only for a short time had fugitive thoughts of leaving town after finishing high school but never acted on them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in nomadic

traveling from place to place a small fugitive circus that traveled the countryside

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fugitive

2 of 2

noun

as in alien

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of fugitive are ephemeral, evanescent, fleeting, 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

When is ephemeral a more appropriate choice than fugitive?

The meanings of ephemeral and fugitive largely overlap; however, ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration.

many slang words are ephemeral

When is it sensible to use evanescent instead of fugitive?

In some situations, the words evanescent and fugitive 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

When can momentary be used instead of fugitive?

While in some cases nearly identical to fugitive, 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

Where would transient be a reasonable alternative to fugitive?

The words transient and fugitive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay.

a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

In what contexts can transitory take the place of fugitive?

The words transitory and fugitive 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 fugitive

Adjective

About 130 people in the Sheriff’s Office have access to the Flock camera database, mainly in the patrol, fugitive and undercover divisions. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026 Bey was eventually detained and charged in connection with the fugitive warrant. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 Aug. 2026

Noun

With Poland effectively sealed off and her own life now in danger, she is forced into hiding and becomes a hunted fugitive, navigating a city transformed by fear, political repression and violence. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026 Our one scene in the Sampson camp this week finds the congressman’s wife, Elspeth, warning him that having embraced Major Reacher, who is now a fugitive, in front of the press is a crisis that could tank his presidential aspirations. — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fugitive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fugitive

Adjective

Yet the discovery of a curative treatment remained elusive until gene therapy.

— Steven Ross Johnson, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Shkreli, who was a pharmaceutical executive and former hedge-fund manager, purchased the elusive album for $2 million at a 2015 auction, which barred him from commercially distributing the LP for 88 years, until 2103.

— Michael Saponara, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of elusive

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

Ryan Stern, a director at the nomadic British gallery Sixty Six, said that taxes have become one of the biggest challenges to selling in London.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Other new arrivals included the Choukara bag inspired by the traditional saddle bags carried by nomadic peoples.

— Katie Abel, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of nomadic

Noun

Even in the deep ocean, which is filled with alien-like creatures, the whales almost feel like a master alien.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Business is bad for Ray, in part because Eye-Ra is an alien cyclops, and human-alien collaboration is frowned upon in this world.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of alien

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

Noun

The case centers on the Cuban government shooting down two Brothers to the Rescue flights, a civilian rescue group dedicated to saving refugees fleeing the authoritarian Castro regime — then run by Raul Castro’s older brother Fidel.

— Liv Caputo Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
Trump has vastly expanded ICE to ramp up deportations of immigrants, refugees and asylum-seekers, and the agency was a major part of last year’s law-enforcement surge in the Chicago area known as Operation Midway Blitz.

— Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of refugee

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

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fuggy

fugitive

fugitiveness

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

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Synonyms of fugitive

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Synonyms of fugitive

adjective

noun

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The Origin of 'Refugee'

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More from Merriam-Webster on fugitive

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