fleeting
/ˈfliːtɪŋ/adjective
Appearing for only a moment and then gone before you can hold on to it.
Example sentences
- “I caught a fleeting glimpse of the deer before it ran.”
- “Fame on social media is often fleeting.”
- “She felt a fleeting moment of doubt, then signed.”
Collocates with glimpse, moment, thought, and smile. Similar words are 'brief' and 'momentary', but 'fleeting' adds a sense of loss.