SHORT-LIVED Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

short-lived

adjective

ˈshȯrt-ˈlivd

Definition of short-lived

as in brief

lasting only for a short time the skier's triumph turned out to be short-lived, as the next competitor bested her time

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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 short-lived But a 15% spike in new prescriptions right after the Super Bowl ads proved short-lived. — Bob Brody, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026 Nearly all showers will be lighter and short-lived, but the clouds will linger Monday with cooler autumnal temperatures to boot. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Tornadoes from tropical systems can pop up with little notice but tend to be short-lived. — Kate S. Petersen, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026 Each season is short-lived but essential for the cycle to continue. — Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for short-lived

Recent Examples of Synonyms for short-lived

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

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

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

Creative endeavor, in the space of a few hours, flashes its many faces, arduous and sexy, fleeting and fun.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Rather than chasing every fleeting trend, the brand focuses on trusty staples that can work across seasons and last for years to come, making its pieces well worth the investment.

— Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of fleeting

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

Browse Nearby Words

shortish

short-lived

shortly

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“Short-lived.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/short-lived. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of short-lived

adjective

Example Sentences

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