the long term

noun

: a long period of time after the beginning of something
She is investing for the long term.
I think it's the better choice over the long term.
an investment that should do well in the long term
These changes may improve profits now, but they are going to cost us money in the long term.

Examples of the long term in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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But for many autistic women, masking is a relentless pressure that is associated with suicidal behavior over the long term. Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 But Wolfkiel still worries about how the CDC firings and the impasse over federal funding will affect brain injury research and prevention efforts in the long term. Lydia McFarlane, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026 Yet over the long term this type of attendance could lead to literacy gains. Jennifer D. Kobrin, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026 Owning a stake in a profitable, growing business that provides a wanted product or service over the long term is preferable to owning paper currency, which is destined to lose purchasing power over time. Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for the long term

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Cite this Entry

“The long term.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20long%20term. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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