ephemeral

Converse of object

• prove: New words are constantly being coined, some will prove ephemeral, others are here to stay. · Euphemism is a source of change.

Used with adjective complement

• prove: There is a risk that partnerships will prove ephemeral if they are devised in response to a particular funding regime.

Modifies a noun

• algae: The upper shore has a mix of fucoids and ephemeral algae, whilst the mid shore region is characterized by mussels.
• nature: Possibly the greatest risk however lies in the ephemeral nature of the public's interest.
• pond: This figure would be much higher if one excludes the ephemeral ponds and permanent water-bodies containing fish.
• existence: Anyway, it surely merits more than its ephemeral electronic existence.
• port: A port number of zero will let the system pick up an ephemeral port in a bind operation.
• moment: Yet it's often the ephemeral moments which are the most precious 20 years on.

Modifying Another Word

• too: No, they aren't like punctuation marks; that's far too ephemeral.
• often: The most recent of these is the work, often ephemeral, of graffiti artists.
• very: To go through very ephemeral thought processes which did not necessarily need to reach any tangible conclusions.
• apparently: Despite their apparently ephemeral nature, these are rules which are very real, and not without severe sanction.
• so: Its unique character in the Butterfly situation is that the true form of the being is so ephemeral.
• rather: The set was perfect while it lasted but was rather ephemeral because of my lack of perm.

Noun used with modifier

• nature: By their very nature ephemeral materials are intended to have an immediate impact, and have a short life.
• something: An " episode " is something unique and circumscribed, not something ephemeral.