WATERSHED Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

watershed 1 of 2

noun

ˈwȯ-tər-ˌshed

Definition of watershed

as in milestone

a point in a chain of events at which an important change (as in one's fortunes) occurs a watershed moment in her life came when she inherited a reasonable sum of money and was able to start her own coffee shop

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watershed

2 of 2

adjective

as in pivotal

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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 watershed

Noun

Between 1950 and 2010, wildfires in the Rio Ruidoso watershed burned just under 11,000 acres, according to a ProPublica analysis of data from the National Interagency Fire Center. — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026 But funding to pump water from a separate watershed into Rattlesnake Creek was approved in 2025 through spending legislation that Marshall supported. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Based on the bestselling novel by Kevin Kwan, Crazy Rich Asians marked a watershed moment for Asian representation in Hollywood and a promising step forward in an industry filled with one-dimensional stereotypes. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2026 Using a fable-like tone, the film provides a fresh perspective on the G8 violence that became a watershed moment in the anti-globalization movement. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for watershed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for watershed

Noun

Its next milestone involves connecting two Nighthawk r3 processors in 2027.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
In 2024, the country received its first investment-grade credit rating from Moody’s, a milestone that strengthened that message.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of milestone

Adjective

Cincinnati has won four straight and is 6-2 for the first time since 2015 going into a pivotal Sunday night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with first place in the AFC North on the line.

— CBS News, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
The new simulation, called Lumina, re-creates how the first stars and black holes drove reionization, a pivotal but enigmatic phase that transformed the universe.

— Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of pivotal

Noun

The scene comes out of nowhere, as the family are watching The Muppet Show, and climaxes with David having his throat slit.

— Vulture Editors, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
As Melanie, Mitch, and his family try to stay safe inside his family home, the film comes to its truly unsettling climax.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of climax

Noun

Head south to the island’s iconic beachside landmark, Hotel del Coronado, which instantly puts visitors in vacation mode.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Nov. 2026
The Audiovisual Next Gen program was announced in September at the landmark Lumière Summit, which brought together key industry players and government decision-makers from across the globe to explore the future of film.

— Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of landmark

Adjective

The decisive vote, however, will come when the new Congress convenes on January 3, 2027.

— Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2026
Successful implementation will depend on Governor Healey taking immediate, decisive steps to modernize the eligibility system, beginning with a sustainable technology investment plan.

— Stan Soloway, Boston Herald, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of decisive

Adjective

There’s little sense of forward motion in these tracks, but even when simply drifting in place, the blend of atmosphere and physicality—sunset glow meets seismic throb—is payoff enough.

— Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 4 Aug. 2026
Not wrong for much of the last three decades — but Saturday night’s gig, and all the joyous revelry surrounding it, showed why the Live ’25 Tour has been payoff enough for none of them to look back in anger at any of it.

— Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 17 Aug. 2025

Definition of payoff

Adjective

The tech world—and the markets built on top of it—is still figuring out how to feel about last week’s momentous Democratic midterm sweep.

— Julia Black, Vanity Fair, 10 Nov. 2026
The transitions from scene to scene aren’t particularly elegant (one gets the sense that it may have been intended to play with commercial breaks in between), but the story moves swiftly, with a momentous sweep befitting of the original epic.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2026

Definition of momentous

Browse Nearby Words

waters down

watershed

watersheds

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“Watershed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watershed. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of watershed

noun

adjective

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