momentous

[ moh-men-tuhs ]

adjective

1. of great or far-reaching importance or consequence:

   a momentous day.

   Synonyms: serious, crucial, critical, vital

   Antonyms: trifling, trivial

momentous

/ məʊˈmɛntəs /

adjective

1. of great significance

Derived Forms

• moˈmentousness, noun
• moˈmentously, adverb

Other Words From

• mo·mentous·ly adverb
• mo·mentous·ness noun
• unmo·mentous adjective
• unmo·mentous·ly adverb
• unmo·mentous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of momentous¹

First recorded in 1645–55; moment + -ous

Synonym Study

See heavy.

Example Sentences

We women have been robbed of what could have been a momentous campaign and a historic victory.

From Salon

"It was like finding a needle in a haystack, and to rediscover this year was momentous," said James Penca, a Titanic researcher and presenter of the Witness Titanic podcast.

From BBC

Smalls is a decidedly charismatic rabble-rouser in the momentous year “Union” chronicles.

From Los Angeles Times

In a final farewell message before leaving the job on Tuesday, Stoltenberg said that the last ten years had been "momentous".

From BBC

She said: "It is a very momentous day. The plant has always been running and we've always been doing our best to keep it operating....It is a very sad moment."

From BBC

Related Words

• consequential
• crucial
• decisive
• eventful
• far-reaching
• fateful
• historic
• meaningful
• memorable
• notable
• pivotal
• significant
• weighty