epochal

adjective

Definition of epochalnext
as in momentous

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 epochal The Cane Ridge Revival would become an epochal moment in American religious history, one of the most visible manifestations of what historians would later refer to as the Second Great Awakening. — Michael Luo, New Yorker, 14 June 2026 But the possibility of an epochal discovery that radically changes our understanding of the universe’s history and solves one of the greatest mysteries in modern astrophysics is too alluring to ignore. — Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 4 June 2026 Its demographics have also undergone an epochal shift. — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026 These are huge, epochal changes for older Americans that have happened in just the past 15 years. — Ken Stern, USA Today, 28 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for epochal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for epochal
  1. momentous
  2. earthshaking
  3. fateful
  4. life-and-death
  5. crucial
Adjective
  • To mark the momentous occasion of its 100th anniversary, London Jewelers is celebrating with the unveiling of a new diamond, alongside partnerships with De Beers Group and Grandview Klein Diamonds.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Sob Rock Records marks a momentous shift in Mayer’s career as Mayer departed Columbia Records — which signed him in the early 2000s and released every one of his albums thus far — back in 2022.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 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
  • Pinpointing the possible sites where Teghaza was launched by a giant impact on its fateful journey to Earth is a feat all its own, but the meteorite’s chemical composition shows something even more enlightening.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Dashcam followed in 2021, about an obnoxious content creator on a fateful and terrifying drive, as well as 2023 Stephen King adaptation The Boogeyman.
    — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of fateful
Adjective
  • But in the meantime, before all these cosmic, life-and-death questions can be answered, this episode of Lanterns makes for a meaningful memorial to a deeply imperfect hero.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Decisions about traffic signals, speed limits and congestion solutions often come with life-and-death implications.
    — Bryan Mistele, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of life-and-death
Adjective
  • Even the golf cart service (crucial in a resort this big) is on point, with a seamless online ordering platform and a bounty of staff ready to ferry you around, even at peak times.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
  • This latest accomplishment adds to an already strong year for Skechers athletes, as OG Anunoby was crucial to the New York Knicks’ championship and made the game-winning shot to cap off a historic comeback in game 4 of the NBA Finals.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of crucial

Browse Nearby Words

epoch
epochal
epochs
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of Pyrrhic

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All