earthshaking

American  

[urth-shey-king] / ˈɜrθˌʃeɪ kɪŋ /

Also earth-shattering, or earth-shaking

adjective

1. imperiling, challenging, or affecting basic beliefs, attitudes, relationships, etc.

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earthshaking British  

/ ˈɜːθˌʃeɪkɪŋ /

adjective

1. informal of enormous importance or consequence; momentous

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Other Word Forms

• earthshaker noun

Etymology

Origin of earthshaking

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; earth, shaking

Example Sentences

“Out of Plain Sight” doesn’t need to be earthshaking filmmaking to relay a valuable ongoing story about a hidden nightmare for all of us.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2025

Your music was so loud, and the bass so earthshaking that I just had to investigate while out for my “quiet” evening stroll.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 23, 2022

The transgression finally comes from an act of omission, rather commission, so mean and petty as to seem earthshaking.

From New York Times • May 18, 2022

The billionaire exec spontaneously shares earthshaking company plans, uncredited memes, and bizarre accusations.

From The Verge • Apr. 11, 2022

A very loud finger snap, invisible elbows, an earthshaking hum, legs of snow, and the ability to roll uphill were just some of the many powers that helped me in my Courtney stories.

From "Firegirl" by Tony Abbott