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Impermanence: meaning, definitions and examples

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impermanence

 

[ɪmˈpɜːmənəns ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

philosophy

The state or quality of being temporary, changeable, or transient.

Synonyms

ephemerality, fleetingness, transience.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
impermanence

Appropriate in philosophical or reflective contexts to describe the temporary nature of things, often used in discussions about life, nature, and existence.

  • The beauty of the flower is a reminder of life's impermanence
  • Many philosophers have written about the impermanence of human experiences
transience

Suitably used in formal or academic contexts, particularly to discuss phenomena, people, or states that are temporary or short-lived.

  • The transience of urban life can be unsettling
  • The scientist studied the transience of certain chemical reactions
ephemerality

Used to describe something that lasts for a very short period of time and usually in artistic, literary, or poetic contexts.

  • The ephemerality of a sunrise makes it all the more beautiful
  • The artist captures the ephemerality of youth in his paintings
fleetingness

Commonly used to express the quick passage of moments or emotions, often conveying a sense of missed opportunity or transient joy.

  • The fleetingness of happiness is both a blessing and a curse
  • She was struck by the fleetingness of their encounters

Examples of usage

  • The concept of impermanence is a key tenet in Buddhist philosophy.
  • Impermanence reminds us to appreciate the present moment.
  • The impermanence of life is a central theme in many spiritual teachings.
Context #2 | Noun

nature

The tendency of things to change, evolve, or decay over time.

Synonyms

instability, mutability, transitoriness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
impermanence

When discussing the temporary nature of life or experiences, often in a philosophical or spiritual context.

  • The Buddhist teachings often emphasize the impermanence of all things.
  • He reflected on the impermanence of happiness and sorrow in his life.
instability

When talking about lack of stability or predictability, commonly used in economic, political, or emotional contexts.

  • The economic instability has caused many businesses to close.
  • His emotional instability made it difficult for him to maintain relationships.
mutability

When discussing the ability to change or be changed, often in scientific or literary contexts.

  • The mutability of genetic material is crucial to the process of evolution.
  • The poet mused on the mutability of human emotions.
transitoriness

When referring to the short duration or fleeting nature of something, often in poetic or reflective contexts.

  • The poet wrote about the transitoriness of youth and beauty.
  • In the face of life's transitoriness, he decided to seize every moment.

Examples of usage

  • The impermanence of the seasons is a reminder of the cyclical nature of life.
  • Nature's impermanence can be seen in the changing colors of the leaves in autumn.
  • Impermanence is evident in the growth and decay of plants and animals.
Context #3 | Noun

art

The use of materials or techniques that are not intended to last indefinitely.

Synonyms

ephemerality, temporariness, transience.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
impermanence

Best used to describe the general idea that all things are not lasting forever and are subject to change.

  • Buddhist teachings often emphasize the impermanence of life
ephemerality

Ideal for describing something that is very brief or fleeting, usually in a poetic or literary context.

  • The ephemerality of cherry blossoms makes them especially cherished in Japanese culture
temporariness

Used to highlight a situation or condition that is not permanent but might be expected to last for a noticeable period.

  • The temporariness of the solution was evident, but it bought us some time
transience

Typically used to describe the quality of being temporary but also emphasizes the idea of being fleeting or short-lived. Often used in philosophical or reflective contexts.

  • Her poetry often touches on the transience of human emotions

Examples of usage

  • The artist embraced impermanence by creating installations that decay over time.
  • Impermanence in art challenges traditional notions of permanence and value.
  • Some artists use impermanence as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of beauty.

Interesting Facts

Philosophy

  • Many Eastern philosophies, especially Buddhism, emphasize the concept of impermanence, teaching that clinging to things can lead to suffering.
  • The idea encourages people to appreciate the present moment, as everything is constantly changing.

Art

  • Some art forms, like sand mandalas, are created beautifully but are destroyed afterward, symbolizing the beauty of transient experiences.
  • The installation artist Andy Goldsworthy creates works using natural materials that change or decay over time, showcasing impermanence.

Literature

  • The theme of impermanence often appears in poetry, reminding readers to cherish fleeting moments.
  • In Japanese literature, concepts like 'mono no aware' reflect a sensitivity to the beauty of transient things.

Science

  • In biology, ecosystems demonstrate impermanence as they evolve and change over time due to environmental conditions.
  • The geological concept of erosion shows how landscapes can dramatically change due to natural processes, highlighting impermanence in the Earth’s structure.

Psychology

  • Understanding impermanence can help people cope with loss, recognizing that pain and joy are both temporary states.
  • Mindfulness practices encourage awareness of the transient nature of thoughts and feelings, promoting emotional resilience.

Translations

Translations of the word "impermanence" in other languages:

🇵🇹 impermanência

🇮🇳 अनित्य

🇩🇪 Vergänglichkeit

🇮🇩 ketidakkekalan

🇺🇦 незмінність

🇵🇱 nietrwałość

🇯🇵 無常 (mujō)

🇫🇷 impermanence

🇪🇸 impermanencia

🇹🇷 geçicilik

🇰🇷 무상 (musang)

🇸🇦 عدم الدوام

🇨🇿 pomíjivost

🇸🇰 pominuteľnosť

🇨🇳 无常 (wúcháng)

🇸🇮 minljivost

🇮🇸 óvaranleiki

🇰🇿 өтпелілік

🇬🇪 არამდგრადობა

🇦🇿 müvəqqəti

🇲🇽 impermanencia

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,640, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.