Definition of momentnext
1
as in time
a particular point at which an event takes place at that moment he suddenly turned around and headed toward me

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
3
4
as in today
the time currently existing or in progress I'm not doing anything at the moment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun moment differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of moment are consequence, importance, significance, and weight. While all these words mean "a quality or aspect having great worth or significance," moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence.

a decision of great moment

Where would consequence be a reasonable alternative to moment?

The words consequence and moment can be used in similar contexts, but consequence generally implies importance because of probable or possible effects.

the style you choose is of little consequence

When is importance a more appropriate choice than moment?

The synonyms importance and moment are sometimes interchangeable, but importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone.

a region with no cities of importance

When can significance be used instead of moment?

While in some cases nearly identical to moment, significance implies a quality or character that should mark a thing as important but that is not self-evident and may or may not be recognized.

the treaty's significance

When could weight be used to replace moment?

While the synonyms weight and moment are close in meaning, weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something.

the argument carried no weight with the judge

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 moment During the acceptance speech for Two People Exchanging Saliva, an awkward moment occurred when the microphone started to descend and the camera shifted to host Conan O'Brien, who was still waiting for the speeches to end. Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026 Over the course of a big-league season, there inherently are times when players, coaches and staff miss out on being part of family moments. Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026 As for her favorite moments from last night’s Oscars? Christian Allaire, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026 How 'Peppa Pig' Demonstrates Friendship Preschoolers are especially drawn to stories that reflect moments from their own lives, says Delahooke. Hannah Silverman, Parents, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for moment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moment
Noun
  • Questions and comments will be moderated, read, and answered as time allows.
    Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2026
  • That divergence of opinion hasn’t provided a national consensus for a permanent time standard.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • What readers are saying The conversation explores the impact of a holistic understanding of AI on students' learning experiences, with many participants emphasizing the importance of foundational skills before delving into AI.
    Rebecca Winthrop, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Raising this temperature has been of paramount importance to researchers.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • In any case, it's been a minute.
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 16 Mar. 2026
  • With five minutes to play in the first half, Brandeis commit Javi Lopez sank a triple himself as the Raiders took a 23-18 lead.
    Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Beane is the progenitor of the Moneyball movement, the search for inefficiency in roster building that, today, has influenced every Major League Baseball front office.
    Evan Drellich, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Mark has crushed Texas A&M on three occasions — once at Arkansas and twice here — but the latest heroics have no peer.
    Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Harper was the only one who rose to the occasion.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Given toads held special significance of toads in many southwestern Chinese cultures, archaeologists had to deduce that the drum carried not only music, but deeper messages and meanings.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2026
  • And yet what emerges from this elemental minorness is an art form with its own significance.
    Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Anthony Mantha scored 15 seconds later, getting behind the Avs defense and putting one past Wedgewood before the MacKinnon goal announcement was complete.
    Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 17 Mar. 2026
  • After Charlie McAvoy hit the post at one end, Paul Cotter scored his second of the game with six seconds to go in overtime.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The result was a reunion that finally provided (mostly) satisfying questions and answers about participants’ pasts and presents instead of dancing around topics.
    Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
  • All of them have marked birthdays inside the facility in the nine months since, but there were no cakes or presents.
    Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Moment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moment. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.

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