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

In the mid-nineteenth century, the abolitionist Henrietta Bowers Duterte operated an Underground Railroad stop in her Philadelphia funeral home, hiding fugitive slaves in coffins. — John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026 The fugitive suspect in a deadly attack on a Berlin Pride parade was killed in a police operation on Sunday, authorities said. — Mary Ilyushina, Washington Post, 26 July 2026

Noun

Narez later fled the country and remained a fugitive for nearly three decades, authorities said. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Maria Narez, now 48, has been a fugitive since she was indicted in 1999, according to the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fugitive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fugitive

Adjective

Fulton also registered a textbook open-field tackle on the elusive Milroe on a play that was called back because of a penalty.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026
Greenspan was renowned for his formidable data-crunching capabilities, sharp reading of market psychology, and subtle, often elusive communication style.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of elusive

Adjective

For example, there is a greater focus on workwear that can address flash-fire hazards while also functioning as everyday task wear.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
Parts of Connecticut and New York, including the Albany area, remained under flash-flood warnings on Wednesday morning.

— Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 29 July 2026

Definition of flash

Adjective

Rome works remotely, and the couple have been living a nomadic lifestyle without a house or a car of their own for over 16 years.

— Scott Laird, Travel + Leisure, 26 Aug. 2026
This off-grid model has been created with mobility in mind and would be a good fit for those wanting a nomadic lifestyle.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of nomadic

Noun

Then Cameron made The Abyss in 1989, which featured a flowing, water-like alien at the very end created by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM).

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
Directed by Na Hong-Jin and starring Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, Jung Ho-yeon, Michael Fassbender, and Alicia Vikander, the alien-encounter feature has accumulated $35 million from 4,518,395 admissions.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of alien

Adjective

Gates officially open Monday, August 31, but just over half of the attendees will arrive earlier to build the big art installations and other features of the temporary city.

— Anya Kamenetz, Curbed, 28 Aug. 2026
However, temporary court orders and pending litigation have affected the official list of qualifying professional degrees.

— Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of temporary

Adjective

Dinners take place in traditional nomad tents around the communal fire pit, and range from steaming hot pots with yak meat, mushrooms and tofu to haute-Tibetan tasting menus with wild vegetables in corn foam, tsampa grissini, and lamb shoulder with yak yogurt glaze and salsa verde.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Apr. 2026
New this season are nomad-style cooking workshops, starlit movies for younger campers, and sunrise hawk walks.

— Katharina Kotrba, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025

Definition of nomad

Noun

The location once served as an asylum center for Cuban refugees and is now a museum dedicated to Cuban history.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026
Funding for refugee support is drying up, hostility toward Ukrainians is growing, and Poland still lacks a long-term integration strategy.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of refugee

Adjective

Summary The 2018 Sears bankruptcy underscored retail's transient nature, a lesson Jeff Bezos and former Walmart CEO Doug McMillon also emphasize.

— Jason Goldberg, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Before his arrest, Grannell appears to have been transient, possibly living at a campground in Round Mountain, Texas.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of transient

Browse Nearby Words

fuggy

fugitive

fugitiveness

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“Fugitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fugitive. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of fugitive

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Synonyms of fugitive

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to fugitive

The Origin of 'Refugee'

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on fugitive

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

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Why does English have so many silent letters?

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