GRE Words for Temporary and Fleeting

These 7 GRE words all share the meaning of temporary and fleeting. Studying them as one cluster is far more efficient than learning each in isolation, because the GRE tests words by how they relate to each other. Each entry below links to a full definition page with example sentences and memory hooks.

Why this cluster matters

On Sentence Equivalence you must choose two words that give the sentence the same meaning. That means the answer is almost always a synonym pair pulled from a cluster like this one. Watch the connotation tone on each word: a positive and a negative word rarely form a correct pair, even when their definitions look close.

The 7 words

ephemeraladjectiveNeutral tone

Lasting for a very short time; transitory

evanescentadjectiveNeutral tone

Soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or disappearing

fleetingadjectiveNegative tone

Lasting for a very short time; passing quickly

fugitiveadjectiveNegative tone

Quick to disappear; fleeting; a person who has escaped

momentaryadjectiveNeutral tone

Lasting for a very short time; brief

transientadjectiveNeutral tone

Lasting only for a short time; temporary

transitoryadjectiveNeutral tone

Not permanent; lasting only for a short time

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