TEMPORARY Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

temporary 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtem-pə-ˌrer-ē

Definition of temporary

as in interim

intended to last, continue, or serve for a limited time summer workers looking for temporary accommodations in private homes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in flash

lasting only for a short time a temporary lapse of memory

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in provisional

serving in a position for the time being the temporary head of the sales division

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

temporary

2 of 2

noun

as in temp

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 temporary

Adjective

Defining non-negotiables before a difficult decision arrives can help leaders avoid making permanent compromises under temporary pressure. — Ricardo Bellino, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026 The columnless uppermost floor will hold temporary exhibitions, a viewing terrace, and a restaurant. — News Desk, Artforum, 6 Oct. 2026

Noun

Following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, large areas of farmland were treated similarly, and contaminated topsoil was removed and stored in temporary as well as long-term facilities. — Eduardo B. Farfán, The Conversation, 21 Apr. 2026 California voters will have to approve the temporary in a special election in November. — Terry Collins, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for temporary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for temporary

Adjective

An interim commissioner will be announced at a later date, the statement noted.

— Victoria Arancio, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Plans for interim leadership are in the works, the news release said.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of interim

Adjective

San Antonio, Texas, was under a flash-flood warning through Thursday evening, and the city urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

— Fabiola Sanchez, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026
On Monday, the flash-flood threat is lower, but locally heavy downpours are possible for parts of the Mid-Atlantic later in the day.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of flash

Adjective

The Athletic has reported that ESPN has secured Buck to a new deal and that Amazon has signed Kirk Herbstreit, who also calls college game at ESPN, to provisional terms.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
Following a deal reached 22 hours before Martelly left office, it was agreed that a provisional president would be selected.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of provisional

Noun

Born in Hiroshima in 1983, Oyamada won the Shincho Prize for New Writers for The Factory, which was drawn from her experiences working as a temp for an automaker’s subsidiary.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Then toss a fresh pair of leggings into your cart to wear with popular oversized sweaters, and cute capris for the in-between-temp days.

— Jessie Quinn, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of temp

Adjective

Retaining Thompson in his role would provide short-term relief to CNN staffers who are concerned about the change in ownership.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Yolo County voters will decide in November whether to raise the tax on short-term stays in unincorporated areas from 8% to 12%, a move county officials estimate would generate about $250,000 a year.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of short-term

Adjective

With this fast-approaching launch date and the program’s brief approval window, travelers could have an Argentine passport in hand in a matter of months.

— Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
The onetime estate of Dolly Parton, who passed away in August at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer, has surfaced for sale in the exclusive Bird Streets neighborhood of Los Angeles for the first time in a quarter-century.

— Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of brief

Noun

Or Syria, where the government is now led by al-Qaeda associates.

— Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
Due to changing storm patterns, the kelp forests are also battered by more damaging winter swells, according to Scripps associate researcher Ed Parnell.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of associate

Adjective

Davis, West Sacramento and unincorporated Sacramento County already charge a 12% transient occupancy tax, and Measure X would bring Yolo County’s rate in line with those jurisdictions.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Fugue states are a precursor to the breakdown of memory; Simon’s agent begins experiencing episodes of a condition called transient global amnesia.

— Emily Witt, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of transient

Browse Nearby Words

temporariness

temporary

temporize

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Temporary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temporary. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of temporary

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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