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momentary Definition

mo·men·tary (mən ter′ē)

adjective

  1. lasting for only a moment; passing; transitory
  2. recurring every moment; constant
  3. likely to occur at any moment

Etymology: L momentarius

momentary Related Forms
mo·men·tar′i·ness noun
momentary Synonyms

momentary

modif.

fleeting, flying, quick, summary, passing, flitting, flashing, transient, evanescent, fugitive, impermanent, shifting, spasmodic, ephemeral, vanishing, cursory, temporary, fugacious, like lightning, like a summer shower, bubblelike, dreamlike, gone in a flash*, in the bat of an eye*, in the wink of an eye*, quicker than one can say Jack Robinson*.

Antonyms eternal*, continual, ceaseless. See syn. study at transient.transient.

momentary Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • lapse: We could not guess Nelson's momentary lapse from the tone of Mouth of the Nile.
  • lull: I only heard it because there had been a momentary lull in the barrage from the big guns.
  • glimpse: There was a momentary glimpse of an elegant steam yacht cutting past.
  • pause: Taking a momentary pause just to make sure, I hurl myself into the waiting water.
  • discomfort: There was a momentary discomfort on penetrating the surface tension of the sub-space artifact.
  • panic: Barbara's momentary panic on parting from Beth is shortened.

Modifying Another Word

  • but: Life is but momentary, whether you have the poverty of the poorest man in rags or the wealth of the richest living person.
  • only: Of course, the good news is only momentary.
  • even: Be careful not to make even momentary short circuits with metal tools.
  • merely: After all it might be only a chance look, or at best the token of a merely momentary impression.
  • either: The remote function can be configured to be either momentary or latched.
  • not: Draper offers the opinion that such incidents are not momentary slips on Trotsky's part.

Browse dictionary entries near momentary

  1. momentarily
  2. moment of truth
  3. moment
  4. mome
  5. Mombasa
  6. MOMA
  7. mom and pop store
  8. mom
  9. molybdous
  10. molybdic
  1. momently
  2. momento
  3. momentous
  4. momentum
  5. momism
  6. momma
  7. Mommsen
  8. mommy
  9. momser
  10. Momus