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momentarily

momentarily

47 3.7
For a very short time
  • adverb
  • /ˌmoʊ.mənˈtɛr.ə.li/
translation icon : momentáneamente
  • She paused momentarily to catch her breath before continuing her run.
  • pause momentarily
  • only momentarily
  • forget momentarily

And, and we have to momentarily dispose of that.

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Examples

  • I momentarily lost my composure.

  • The fireworks lit up the sky momentarily before fading away.

  • Now quickly though, have a look with me just momentarily at this.

  • When you looked into my eyes, you were momentarily drawn to me.

  • This will only be momentarily uncomfortable.

  • The industry of the campus has momentarily ceased.

  • Rejection is momentarily, but regret is lifetime.

  • Carol, this will cease momentarily.

  • I was so impressed and surprised that whether you believe it or not, momentarily I was speechless.

  • But there are new temptations in the age of social media, not least of all the simple and momentarily satisfying retweet.

Synonyms

temporarily
vsmomentarily
222 3.2

For a short time and not permanent

means a single instant rather than a limited period
just a minute
vsmomentarily
198 1.0

Ask someone to wait for a very short time

is about an instant length rather than requesting someone to wait
for the moment
vsmomentarily
189 3.4

For a short time that is not meant to last

expresses an instant length not an ongoing short situation
in just a minute
vsmomentarily
54 1.7

After a very short time

requests or waiting is different from stating an instant duration
in a flash
vsmomentarily
  • Informal
35 2.5

Very quickly in a single moment

describes a short time itself rather than sudden speed
shortly
vsmomentarily
6 1.5

For a little time

refers to an immediate instant rather than soon or brief time
fleetingly
vsmomentarily
4 5.5

For a very short time

focuses on the instant length rather than passing quality
transiently
vsmomentarily
1 6.8

For a short time before returning to normal

describes a single instant rather than a short period
momently
vsmomentarily
  • Archaic
8.2

Lasts for a very short time

is the same in meaning but is an alternate form
ephemerally
vsmomentarily
7.9

For a short time

refers to a single instant rather than temporary existence

Antonyms

218 2.9

Stays the same for all time

95 2.3

Happens without stopping or pausing

How Brief

instantly
330 1.0
momentarily
47 3.7
briefly
414 1.0
for a while
1.0

Surface Forms

momentarily positive
momentarily comparative
momentarily superlative

Morphology

momentarily = momentary (transparent) = moment + ary + ly

Standard adjective-to-adverb formation from 'momentary' by adding '-ly', with 'momentary' clearly built from 'moment' + '-ary'.

Etymology

Momentarily comes from moment (from Latin momentum, 'movement' or 'a short time') plus the ending -ly. So, thinking of a 'moment' as a tiny movement of time helps you remember that momentarily can mean 'for a very short time'.