like lightning

ADJECTIVE

momentary

Synonyms

STRONGEST

short-lived temporary transitory

WEAK

cursory dreamlike ephemeral evanescent flashing flitting flying fugacious fugitive gone in flash hasty impermanent impulsive in wink of an eye instantaneous passing quick shifting short spasmodic summary transient vanishing volatile

Antonyms

STRONGEST

lasting lengthy long-lived permanent

WEAK

long-lasting staying

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.

Kaczmarek beamed as she talked about getting back together with her former co-stars: “I always thought that show was like lightning in a bottle. ‘Malcolm’ was a mega-hit and a dream come true.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Those remarkable dressings displayed here reveal dynamic, shorthand ink vignettes—energetic hieroglyphs and vibrating, wiry stick figures whose spells discharge like lightning.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Musk pushed back, saying on X that “SpaceX is moving like lightning compared to the rest of the space industry.”

From Salon • Jan. 12, 2026

In a sense, the whole story of “Waitress” feels like lightning in a bottle.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 6, 2023

Inigo’s blade was flashing again, more than ever like lightning.

From "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman

like lightning

Example Sentences

Related Words