Evanescent

Vanishing, fleeting, or fading away; tending to be imperceptible. Something that is evanescent disappears or passes quickly from sight or memory.

From Latin 'evanescens', present participle of 'evanescere' meaning 'to vanish, pass away', from 'ex-' (out) + 'vanescere' (to vanish), related to 'vanus' (empty, vain).

Usage Examples

If we do not stand at this particular point in time, this great American idea will be evanescent.
The evanescent glow of the northern lights reminded the Greenland airmen that nature's beauty is as temporary as it is powerful.
Constitutional protections can become evanescent when citizens fail to hold their elected officials accountable.

From the Show

Kim Monson introduced evanescent as a sobering warning during the January 29, 2026 broadcast on Greenland’s strategic value, election integrity, and citizen advocacy, cautioning that the American experiment in liberty could vanish without active participation from everyday citizens in the legislative process.