transient

[tran-shuhnt, -zhuhnt, -zee-uhnt] / ˈtræn ʃənt, -ʒənt, -zi ənt /

ADJECTIVE

temporary

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ephemeral fleeting short-term transitory

STRONG

brief flash fly-by-night flying fugitive passing short temporal volatile

WEAK

changeable deciduous emigrating evanescent flitting fugacious going by impermanent insubstantial migrating momentary moving provisional short-lived transmigratory unstable vacating

Antonyms

STRONGEST

enduring lasting lengthy long long-lived permanent perpetual

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The system is also only the second known long-period radio transient found to produce regular X-rays.

From Science Daily • Jun. 2, 2026

Counting unhoused populations is difficult due to the transient nature of homelessness, but the most recent analyzed data from the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

First-quarter weakness was attributed to patient drops and insurance delays, but analysts consider these issues to be transient.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

The mission made significant discoveries, including the first data that show the existence of a transient third radiation belt, which can form during times of intense solar activity, Nasa said.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

Since most of the students were transient and many had behavior problems, the curriculum was designed more to keep us out of trouble than on grade level.

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

Vocabulary lists containing transient

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