TRANSIENT Synonyms: 89 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of transient are ephemeral , evanescent , fleeting , fugitive , momentary , and transitory . While all these words mean "lasting or staying only a short time," transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay. // a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

Q: When could 'ephemeral' be used to replace 'transient'?

The synonyms ephemeral and transient are sometimes interchangeable, but ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration. // many slang words are ephemeral

Q: Where would 'evanescent' be a reasonable alternative to 'transient'?

In some situations, the words evanescent and transient 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: How do 'fugitive' and 'fleeting' relate to one another, in the sense of 'transient'?

Both 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 'momentary' take the place of 'transient'?

The words momentary and transient are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 'transitory' be a better fit than 'transient'?

The words transitory and transient 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

transient 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtran(t)-sh(ē-)ənt

Definition of transient

as in temporary

lasting only for a short time had transient thoughts of quitting her job and going back to school

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

transient

2 of 2

noun

as in drifter

Related Words

as in tourist

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of transient are ephemeral, evanescent, fleeting, fugitive, momentary, and transitory. While all these words mean "lasting or staying only a short time," transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay.

a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

When could ephemeral be used to replace transient?

The synonyms ephemeral and transient are sometimes interchangeable, but ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration.

many slang words are ephemeral

Where would evanescent be a reasonable alternative to transient?

In some situations, the words evanescent and transient 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

How do fugitive and fleeting relate to one another, in the sense of transient?

Both 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 momentary take the place of transient?

The words momentary and transient are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 transitory be a better fit than transient?

The words transitory and transient 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 transient

Adjective

Students will encounter larger classes, fewer course offerings and a more transient instructional workforce. — Francisco Ruiz, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026 Inspired by the transient beauty of cherry blossoms, known in Japan as sakura — which is illustrated in their album cover, alongside a dark pegasus — much of the LP also hinges on melodrama. — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2026

Noun

He was later identified as a local transient, known to area law enforcement. — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 26 July 2026 Swift was originally designed to study a rare type of transient called gamma-ray bursts—seconds-long flashes of gamma-ray light that arise from the most energetic explosions in the universe. — Anna Y. Q. Ho, Scientific American, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for transient

Recent Examples of Synonyms for transient

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

Noun

The stakes are as jacked as Reacher’s biceps in the fourth installment of the series, which finds the heroic drifter at the center of a sprawling conspiracy involving terrorism, government agencies, and powerful political figures.

— Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Aug. 2026
According to Rouse, the album grew out of observations gathered while traveling, with its songs populated by drifters, dreamers and fleeting encounters that blur the line between fiction and autobiography.

— SPIN Staff, SPIN, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of drifter

Noun

More than 400 foreign nationals are among the 579 tourists missing in the rugged mountainous region, which is popular with pilgrims and trekkers.

— Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
Nepal’s tourism ministry reported 403 tourists unaccounted for, including 341 foreign nationals.

— Milad Haghani, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of tourist

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

Noun

Across the planet, most populations of monarch butterflies—in Spain, in Hawaii—are likely descended from vagrants that veered off the Mexico migration path.

— Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
In August, Denver fined GFI $140,000 for letting the building become a magnet for vandals, vagrants and urban explorers who trespass and post videos on TikTok.

— Thomas Gounley, Denver Post, 9 July 2026

Definition of vagrant

Noun

Since 2017 individual travelers have also been able to pass through the port.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
On Wednesday, a massive ice-rock avalanche triggered flash floods in Nepal’s steep Himalayan valleys, killing at least 72 people, sweeping away villages and roads, and leaving hundreds of residents and travelers missing.

— Niranjan Shrestha, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of traveler

Adjective

Parton died Tuesday at 80 following a brief battle with cancer.

— Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
Previous research has shown that on average, one death is prevented for every 230 naloxone kits distributed, so even this brief ban may have resulted in several preventable overdose deaths.

— Paul Christine, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of brief

Noun

Anyway, no longer satisfied with making sure that the theatrical trains run on time, Anna is a national parks vagabond, going from job to job, never laying down roots.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026
His divorces ultimately left him scrambling for stability and turned him into a kind of moneyed vagabond, living out of suitcases.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 May 2026

Definition of vagabond

Browse Nearby Words

transiency

transient

transients

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

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Synonyms of transient

adjective

noun

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