momentous
/mə(ʊ)ˈmɛntəs
/adjective
Of great importance or significance, especially in having a bearing on future events: a period of momentous changes in East-West relations a momentous decision...
- The prospect of a single currency may present this country with one of the most momentous decisions in its history.
- It was just after I sat my finals at art college in 1962 that a series of momentous events occurred.
- After the momentous events of 1953 the men from the expedition shared a rare friendship.
Synonyms
important, significant, epoch-making, historic, apocalyptic, headline, fateful, portentous, critical, crucial, vital, life-and-death, decisive, pivotal, serious, grave, weighty, consequential, big, great, far-reaching, life-changing, of importance, of moment, of significance, of consequence;
earth-shaking, earth-shattering, world-shaking, world-shattering
Derivatives
momentously
- They made the rounds at the meetings of the financial organizations, presenting their data as a momentously cautionary tale.
- I was simply overwhelmed by sensation: one simply stood, receiving momentously bad news second by second with no possible escape or remedy.
- Suddenly, putting out the ‘party vibe,’ for arenas of fans became momentously difficult.
momentousness
/ noun ...- It is impossible to overstate the momentousness of such events, and yet they have fallen into a shadowy disregard, eclipsed by recent history.
- ‘Yes,’ said the delicate boy, fingers touching his lips as the momentousness of his confession struck home.
- He didn't seem to care what he published - the act of publication was no longer invested for him with any momentousness.