EPOCHAL Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

epochal

adjective

Definition of epochal

as in momentous

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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 epochal These are huge, epochal changes for older Americans that have happened in just the past 15 years. — Ken Stern, USA Today, 28 Feb. 2026 In a city willing to displace a community garden or a newsstand to claw back a few extra feet, the Armory’s yawning, epochal emptiness seems like poking through your medicine cabinet and finding an alternate universe behind it. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 10 Feb. 2026 The whip-smart, late-20th-century retelling of William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew is one of the most epochal teen rom-coms. — James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Jan. 2026 Chinese thought leaders conceived of the strategy in epochal terms. — Alex Wang, Twin Cities, 19 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for epochal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for epochal

Adjective

The Slovenian began arguably cycling’s most famous climb more than three minutes down on remnants of the breakaway but ascended it in a time of 35 minutes and 27 seconds — one of the most momentous performances the sport has witnessed.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Ronstadt’s career, too, was set to take more momentous turns.

— Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026

Definition of momentous

Adjective

This call, the last time the founders would address their company, was an earthshaking moment for a workplace whose leaders inspired so much loyalty that several employees shared matching tattoos with Olguin.

— Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 19 July 2023
It also should be said that the $85 million value of the missing parts matches the price to procure one F-35A fighter—obviously an important sum, but not an earthshaking loss.

— Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 8 June 2023

Definition of earthshaking

Adjective

Digital advances also raise pressing questions about the ethics of outsourcing life-and-death decisions to machines.

— Phillips Payson O’Brien, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026
The life-and-death rescue played out on a narrow suspension cable above shocked motorists, pedestrians and the gleaming water below the bridge.

— Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026

Definition of life-and-death

Adjective

Organizations are failing to equip managers with crucial strategic and relational skills, instead focusing on technical AI training for tasks AI will soon automate.

— Cindy Rodriguez Constable, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
At the same time, the war has depleted US munitions, particularly air defense interceptors crucial to stopping attacks on bases.

— Jennifer A. Dlouhy, Fortune, 31 July 2026

Definition of crucial

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epoch

epochal

epochs

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“Epochal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/epochal. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of epochal

adjective

Example Sentences

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Cite this Entry

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