fleeting desire

USAGE SUMMARY

"fleeting desire" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a desire which quickly passes or is short-lived. For example, "He had a fleeting desire to take a long vacation, but it quickly passed as his responsibilities weighed on him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It lends new meaning to the tell-all: there's no fleeting desire or base thought that can flicker through Belfort's mind that Scorsese can't or won't show — and nothing he shows flickering onto the screen that can't give outrageous delight.

The New Yorker

Certainly there were people at university whom I felt a fleeting desire to segregate: sexist rugby players you wouldn't trust with an unattended drink; Tory foxhunters called Tilly who genuinely admired Margaret Thatcher's policies; skinny-jean-wearing manarchists who kept unread copies of Das Kapital on their nightstands, to name a few.

The Guardian - Opinion

But unlike most tech writers, I'd never had more than a fleeting desire to actually come here.

TechCrunch

There's a reason I quickly added: "HEAR ME OUT!" I sat down with Horowitz this week for his take and I saw the same look momentarily cross his face– the fleeting desire to throw me out of his offices for bringing up such a silly, overused press gimmick that they've been asked about thousands of times.

TechCrunch

But over the past two years, there have been a few points where I felt like I was alone in the way I chose to eat, and those moments were tougher than any fleeting desire for gustatory pleasure or convenience.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Obeying what's good offers a more subtle freedom from the compulsion and dependencies of a life based on fleeting desires and whims.

Huffington Post

Yes, these are trying fast tech times for girls and boys ages 8-13, and for their parents, too, who may be tempted to give in to their child's fleeting desires, thinking these wants are needs.

Huffington Post

And no, his hands were shaking at the lock with something more disruptive — and less fleeting — than desire.

The New Yorker

But the fleeting nature of desire also means wish list shopping can backfire.

The New York Times - Tech

Sometimes, the desire is fleeting, though it may linger in memory, as in Alice Munro's "What Is Remembered".

The New Yorker

Aren't the hurdles to obtaining an impulse-buy handgun a buffer between the fleeting notion (and temporary desire) to harm another human being and an actual violent crime?

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fleeting desire", ensure the context clarifies what the desire is for and why it is transient. This adds depth and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "fleeting desire" excessively in formal or academic writing, as it can sometimes be perceived as less precise than alternative phrases like "temporary inclination" or "momentary urge".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fleeting desire" functions as a noun phrase where "fleeting" modifies the noun "desire". According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. It typically acts as the object or subject complement in a sentence, describing a temporary feeling or wish.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fleeting desire" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a temporary or short-lived wish. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in English writing. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While it is generally considered neutral in tone, you may opt for alternatives like "transient wish" or "momentary inclination" in more formal settings. Remember to provide adequate context to clarify the desire and its fleeting nature for optimal clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

temporary yearning

Replaces "desire" with "yearning", indicating a longing, and "fleeting" with "temporary", suggesting a short duration.

momentary inclination

Substitutes "desire" with "inclination", implying a tendency, and "fleeting" with "momentary", emphasizing brevity.

passing fancy

Replaces "fleeting desire" with a common idiom for a brief and superficial interest.

short-lived craving

Uses "craving" instead of "desire" to suggest a strong urge, and "short-lived" to specify its brief duration.

transient wish

Replaces "desire" with "wish", a more general term, and "fleeting" with "transient", highlighting impermanence.

brief urge

Employs "urge" to convey a sudden impulse, and "brief" to indicate its short duration.

shallow longing

Replaces "fleeting" with "shallow", suggesting a lack of depth in the "longing".

superficial want

Uses "want" instead of "desire", implying a less intense feeling, and "superficial" to indicate a lack of depth.

ephemeral appetite

Replaces "desire" with "appetite", suggesting a basic craving, and "fleeting" with "ephemeral", emphasizing its short-lived nature.

fleeting whim

Replaces "desire" with "whim", suggesting a sudden and capricious notion.

FAQs

What does "fleeting desire" mean?

"Fleeting desire" refers to a desire or wish that is short-lived or quickly passes. It describes a feeling that is not persistent or strong.

How can I use "fleeting desire" in a sentence?

You can use "fleeting desire" to describe a temporary wish or longing. For example: "He had a "fleeting desire" to quit his job, but he quickly dismissed the thought."

What are some synonyms for "fleeting desire"?

Synonyms for "fleeting desire" include "temporary yearning", "momentary inclination", or "passing fancy", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "fleeting desire" in formal writing?

While "fleeting desire" is grammatically correct, it may be more suitable for informal or creative writing. In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "transient wish" or "brief urge" for a more precise tone.