General words:
* Brief: Short in duration, concise.
* Short: Limited in length or duration.
* Fleeting: Passing quickly, ephemeral.
* Transient: Lasting for a short time, temporary.
* Ephemeral: Lasting for a very short time, like a flower.
* Momentary: Lasting for only a moment.
* Temporary: Lasting for a limited time.
Words with specific connotations:
* Fugacious: Tending to disappear quickly.
* Intermittent: Happening at intervals, not continuous.
* Passing: Not lasting, temporary.
* Short-lived: Lasting for a short time, often with a negative connotation (like a career).
* Transitory: Not lasting, temporary, often used in a philosophical sense.
Words with negative connotations:
* Fleeting: Often implies a sense of sadness or regret for something lost quickly.
* Evanescent: Suggests a fading away or disappearance.
* Short-lived: Often implies a failure or disappointment.
The best word to use depends on the context and the specific meaning you want to convey.