as in milestone
a point in a chain of events at which an important change (as in one's fortunes) occurs
a watershed moment in her life came when she inherited a reasonable sum of money and was able to start her own coffee shop
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in pivotal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of watershed
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Although the current situation is manageable, the report found, the water use for data centers is expected to grow – and environmentalists point out the watersheds of these states are already under stress.
—Riley Robinson, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Mar. 2025
But runoff from the watershed does flood into the basin, and climate change and rising soil temperatures will affect groundwater elevations over time.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025
For example, salt can release nitrogen or phosphorus from sediments in a watershed, which act as nutrients for plants—potentially leading to an overgrowth of algae and bacteria in the system, Kaushal said.
—Ars Technica, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for watershed
Noun
The other 90 percent of the city's water is supplied by reservoirs in the Delaware and Catskill watersheds, which are not as affected by salt due to their more remote locations, the AP reports.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Although the current situation is manageable, the report found, the water use for data centers is expected to grow – and environmentalists point out the watersheds of these states are already under stress.
—Riley Robinson, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Mar. 2025
But runoff from the watershed does flood into the basin, and climate change and rising soil temperatures will affect groundwater elevations over time.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025
For example, salt can release nitrogen or phosphorus from sediments in a watershed, which act as nutrients for plants—potentially leading to an overgrowth of algae and bacteria in the system, Kaushal said.
—Ars Technica, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for watershed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watershed
Noun
-
In 2023, the two former enemies cemented a new strategic relationship, a move seen as a milestone in U.S. foreign policy.—
Tung Ngo,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Aside from this major milestone, Ovechkin has reached 40 goals in a season for a 14th time in his career, the most in league history, despite sitting out 16 games at the beginning of this season because of a broken left fibula.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite his criticism, Boyega said his time with the franchise became a pivotal point for his acting career.—
Cheyanne M. Daniels,
The Hill,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Important advice for all university leaders at a pivotal moment in higher education.—
Karen Weaver,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Fans believed from Episode One that at least one character would die in a shooting, and, as in Seasons One and Two, each episode slowly (this time, much more slowly) built to the anticipated climax, leaving breadcrumbs both real and sometimes intentionally misleading.—
Jodi Guglielmi,
Rolling Stone,
7 Apr. 2025
-
In Sunday’s stressful Season 3 finale, all the storylines came to a tragic climax, with Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood), Rick (Walton Goggins) and Jim Hollinger (Scott Glenn), who was revealed to be Rick’s real father, all dying in a shootout at the resort.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
To mark the launch, an exclusive event was held at Mercedes-Benz of Manhattan, a landmark in the automotive industry for over 70 years.—
Mecca Pryor,
Essence,
8 Apr. 2025
-
The group took over the One Wall Street building and restored the Red Room, a Art Deco architectural landmark with an original Hildreth Meière mosaic covering the walls and ceiling.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Over the past year, Sri Lanka has experienced an epochal social, political, and economic crisis.—
Arvind Subramanian,
Foreign Affairs,
9 Dec. 2022
-
In a striking parallel to the 1990s, epochal thinking about the potentialities of a high technology society has once again upended politics.—
Jacob Bruggeman & Casey Eilbert / Made by History,
TIME,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Back-to-back baskets by DeRozan sparked a decisive 9-0 run that put the Kings up 122-112 with 2:17 to play.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
And the notion that the administration’s allies in Silicon Valley can quickly produce large numbers of nimble, affordable, and lethal next generation weapons that will give America a decisive edge should be treated with a large grain of salt.—
William Hartung,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In that spirit, Alexander Isak’s 100th appearance for Newcastle United — featuring a cup final-winning goal no less — was a momentous milestone.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Revived by the brand with the aid of master watchmaker Kari Voutilainen, it’s been recreated for the momentous occasion of the brand’s 16th decade of continuous operation.—
Justin Fenner,
Robb Report,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The bullpen gave up the lead on the first pitch, and then three more in the deciding 10th inning.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Travis weeks earlier cited as the deciding and unprecedented factor.—
Chris Vannini,
The Athletic,
9 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Watershed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watershed. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share