fleeting thrill

USAGE SUMMARY

'fleeting thrill' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you are describing a momentary thrill that lasts for only a short time. For example, "As I watched the sunset, I felt a fleeting thrill of joy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Video-lottery machines, dubbed gambling's crack-cocaine for their cheap, fleeting thrill, are particularly popular.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Titchmarsh responded by saying gardening was an "energising" activity that helped "broaden the mind" – in contrast to the fleeting thrills sought by petrolheads: "Let's get this straight.

The Guardian

Kiki perpetually sought out fleeting thrills, whatever the cost, but Catel and Bocquet suggest that what she saw in modern art was a force that could transform those thrills into something more lasting.

The New York Times - Books

There were fleeting, and thrilling, glimpses of what it was like to be in sync with the animals in the wilderness.

The New York Times - Travel

Aside from such momentary thrills as watching dictators tumble, and marching shoulder to brotherly shoulder with one's fellows, bellowing insults in a fleeting chorus of unified purpose, it has mostly brought trouble.

The Economist

The awe of watching Sandra Bullock order pizza on her computer in 1995's technophobic chiller The Net was as fleeting as the thrill of watching Jonny Lee Miller and Angelina Jolie try to protect an important floppy disk in the same year's Hackers.

The Guardian - Film

For five thrilling, fleeting minutes, it's heaven on Broadway, one of those hallowed occasions in theater when anxious expectation is transformed in a heartbeat into sweet consummation.

The New York Times

Its guava trees prove impossibly tempting to Darling and her friends, who steal the fruit both to feed their hunger and to enjoy a thrilling, if fleeting, sense of power.

The New York Times - Books

At such moments, with the help of Coetzee's sensitivity to the uneven flow and counterflow of ideas, we can glimpse a mind moving among thoughts, some of them solid and argued for, some specious, some thrilling but fleeting, others irrational but suggestive.

The New Yorker

The album swings back and forth between modes for half an hour, with decent hooks and sprightly rock-outs along the way (notably Who Are You, the title track), but even in the eternally throwaway field of garage-pop, these thrills are fleeting indeed.

The Guardian - Music

But the thrill was oddly fleeting, for an event like this.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "fleeting thrill" to effectively convey the idea of a short-lived and intense excitement or pleasure.

Common error

Avoid using "fleeting thrill" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your vocabulary to keep your writing engaging. Consider alternatives like "momentary excitement" or "transient pleasure" to avoid redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fleeting thrill" functions as a noun phrase where "fleeting" modifies the noun "thrill", describing a temporary or short-lived sensation. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fleeting thrill" is a noun phrase used to describe a brief, intense sensation of excitement or pleasure. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English, typically found in contexts like News & Media. It is useful to convey the temporary nature of excitement, and Ludwig's examples show this can apply to various areas from gambling to fleeting success. While grammatically sound and frequently used, avoid overuse by considering alternatives such as "momentary excitement" or "transient pleasure". It's important to consider your context as it may be less appropriate in more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fleeting pleasure

Replaces thrill with the more general "pleasure", while retaining the fleeting aspect.

momentary excitement

Focuses on the excitement aspect, highlighting its brief duration.

transient pleasure

Emphasizes the short-lived nature of the pleasure derived.

brief delight

Highlights the feeling of delight while specifying its fleeting nature.

short-lived joy

Underlines the joy experienced but emphasizes its temporary existence.

temporary high

Emphasizes the peak of excitement, but notes that it doesn't last.

passing rush

Focuses on the rush of adrenaline or excitement that quickly fades.

ephemeral kick

Highlights the temporary and often superficial nature of the excitement.

short-term gratification

Emphasizes the satisfaction aspect while highlighting its limited duration.

momentary rush of adrenaline

Focuses on the physiological response and its short duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "fleeting thrill" to describe a brief but intense feeling of excitement or pleasure, as in "The video-lottery machines offer a "fleeting thrill" but can be addictive".

What are some synonyms for "fleeting thrill"?

Alternatives for "fleeting thrill" include "momentary excitement", "transient pleasure", or "brief delight". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "fleeting thrill" appropriate for formal writing?

While "fleeting thrill" is widely understood, in more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "momentary excitement" or "transient pleasure" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "fleeting thrill" and "lasting joy"?

"Fleeting thrill" describes a short-lived, intense burst of excitement, whereas "lasting joy" refers to a more enduring and profound sense of happiness. One is temporary, the other is sustained.