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 Senior guard Taylor Bigby had some good moments with 10 points, but TCU needed much more from its role players. Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026 Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history. Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 30 Mar. 2026 Since that moment, Woods has either been crashing out or coming back. Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026 That battle reared its head at a crucial moment. Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for moment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moment
Noun
  • In January 2023, McCarthy again moved to block Swalwell's reappointment to the Intelligence Committee after Republicans reclaimed the House majority, this time succeeding.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Rachel Barber The national average retail price of a gallon of gasoline surpassed $4 for the first time in more than three years, as the Iran war continues to drive oil costs up and raise prices at the pump.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Heat stroke is a serious emergency and time is of the utmost importance when treating it.
    Brad Stulberg, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The more complex the AI workload is, the more RAM is required to host and run the AI model, which makes memory capacity of paramount importance.
    Michael Justin Allen Sexton, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Seven stacks of tiny paper cups were arranged to the left, next to packets of Nescafé, pouches of two-minute noodles, and a double gas burner connected to the cylinder—the main tool of his trade.
    Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The dinky port town of Antiparos, with a strip of cute shops, cafes, and unpretentious restaurants, is a ten-minute drive.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is due in a US court today to face narcoterrorism charges, a test of laws that have had limited courtroom success in the past.
    Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The justices ordered the page be released, which paved the way for the expansive powers grand juries have today to investigate and criticize public officials and entities.
    Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Donna, the on-site restaurant, is the city’s quintessential special occasion spot for everything from birthday parties to date nights.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Through his art, George Balanchine — a Russian immigrant to the United States called the father of American ballet — was happy upon occasion to pay tribute to the red, white, and blue.
    Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • President of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos acknowledged the significance of that fact, saying there’s no one more deserving of that honor than Sale.
    Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Its personal significance is trumpeted by the fact that Haghighi plays one of the two lead roles, a man named Kaveh who is being driven by a woman, Leila (Taraneh Alidoosti), to a remote, wintry mountain region.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Johnson returned to the fund for a clean second, before things went sideways again in the third, starting with a Nico Hoerner homer.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Johnson responded in the second by matching Miles’ production with back-to-back 3s to put the Gamecocks ahead 33-26.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • At present, as America's military aggression and assault continue with full force, all our efforts and resources are devoted to defending Iran's very existence.
    Lucia I Suarez Sang, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • All 112 members of parliament present voted to approve the legislation, which marks Cambodia’s first legal framework specifically aimed at a lucrative, illicit industry that has transformed the country into a global hub for cybercrime.
    ABC News, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Moment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moment. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.

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