momentary

[moh-muhn-ter-ee] / ˈmoʊ mənˌtɛr i /

ADJECTIVE

brief, fleeting

Synonyms

STRONGEST

short-lived temporary transitory

WEAK

cursory dreamlike ephemeral evanescent flashing flitting flying fugacious fugitive gone in flash hasty impermanent impulsive in wink of an eye instantaneous like lightning passing quick shifting short spasmodic summary transient vanishing volatile

Antonyms

STRONGEST

lasting lengthy long-lived permanent

WEAK

long-lasting staying

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.

“It’ll have a momentary effect, no doubt about it. Humans are very reactionary,” Parsons said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

CrowdStrike Holdings is having a stellar month, and that hot run isn’t just a momentary blip, according to analysts at Morgan Stanley.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

Leicester got off to an awful start and, despite momentary glimmers of hope, relegation was out of their hands come the final day.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

Observing that momentary disappearance allows scientists to calculate the asteroid's position, speed, and shape with remarkable precision.

From Science Daily • Mar. 9, 2026

But the effect was only due to a momentary lifting of the fog, and after a minute it closed in again.

From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman

Vocabulary lists containing momentary

Chronically Dolores

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Brief

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-ary

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