impermanence

[ im-pur-muh-nuhns ]

noun

the fact or quality of being temporary or short-lived: The novel poignantly explores the impermanence of childhood—the ebb and flow of memories and experiences that make up our disappearing past.

Origin of impermanence

First recorded in 1790–1800; equivalent to im-² + permanence

While our illusion of permanence may be fostered by our sense of continuous memory, psychologists now understand that memories are not only frequently incorrect but as impermanent as our physical substance.
Over Time, Buddhism and Science Agree - Issue 94: Evolving | David P. Barash | December 23, 2020 | Nautilus
As Buddhists see it, all organisms are necessarily—even marvelously and gloriously—impermanent.
Over Time, Buddhism and Science Agree - Issue 94: Evolving | David P. Barash | December 23, 2020 | Nautilus
As Buddhists see it, all organisms are necessarily, unavoidably—even marvelously and gloriously—impermanent.
Over Time, Buddhism and Science Agree - Issue 94: Evolving | David P. Barash | December 23, 2020 | Nautilus
In the case of living things, this means that even the temporary, seeming defiance of impermanence can only occur via a never-ending introduction of new stuff.
Over Time, Buddhism and Science Agree - Issue 94: Evolving | David P. Barash | December 23, 2020 | Nautilus
A Buddhistically informed view suggests that even as everything changes over time, this very impermanence is connected to a deeper kind of persistence.
Over Time, Buddhism and Science Agree - Issue 94: Evolving | David P. Barash | December 23, 2020 | Nautilus

What better metaphor to describe the estrangement within marriage and the impermanence of love?
Jeffrey Eugenides Hails Donald Antrim’s 'Elect Mr. Robinson for a Better World' | Jeffrey Eugenides | June 2, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Their final moments together are an exploration of the impermanence of life.
Mad Men's 12 Most Memorable Moments | Jace Lacob | October 18, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
That feeling—knocked out by the impermanence of love—is echoed in the stories in Day Out of Days.
Sam Shepard Rides Again | Caryn James | January 30, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
One knew that the Elephant never for a moment lost his sardonic sense of the impermanence of human effort.
Still Jim | Honor Willsie Morrow
Their vitality is not impaired by the impermanence of their texts.
Theodore Watts-Dunton | James Douglas
It is parenthetically to be noted how his afternoon fears of the impermanence of the Agence Moignon had vanished.
The Mountebank | William J. Locke
He had been speculating upon the futility of his political energy in the light of the impermanence of life and fame.
Jennie Gerhardt | Theodore Dreiser
If, indeed, their happiness had a flaw, it was in resembling too closely the bright impermanence of their surroundings.
The Touchstone | Edith Wharton

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