fleeting | fleetingly

The word ‘fleeting’ is used to describe something transitory or that happens and passes very quickly. Fleeting things tend to disappear as fast as they appear, in some cases for the better, and others much quicker than you would prefer. For that reason it can have both positive and negative connotations.

1. I didn’t get a proper look at the car. I just caught a fleeting glimpse.

2. The actor’s fall from grace is an example of the fleeting nature of fame.

3. In the meeting, our manager became exasperated to the point that she lost her temper, but only fleetingly.