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Synonyms

momentarily

American  
[moh-muhn-tair-uh-lee, moh-muhn-ter-] / ˌmoʊ mənˈtɛər ə li, ˈmoʊ mənˌtɛr- /

adverb

  1. for a moment; briefly.

    to pause momentarily.

  2. at any moment; imminently.

    expected to occur momentarily.

  3. Now Rare. instantly.

momentarily British  
/ -trɪlɪ, ˈməʊməntərəlɪ /

adverb

  1. for an instant; temporarily

  2. from moment to moment; every instant

  3. very soon

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of momentarily

First recorded in 1645–55; momentary + -ly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

However, at least momentarily, it’s still lower than the levels reached in June of 2022, when average gas prices topped $5.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026

The prospect of a prolonged energy shock momentarily dimmed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

Already, the price of Brent crude has momentarily jumped to its highest level since July 2024.

From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026

"Old age should burn and rage at close of day," she quotes Dylan Thomas, momentarily sounding like the teacher she once was.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

Jessica inspected me momentarily before directing her attention to Elle.

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.