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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as in pivotal
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Recent Examples of watershed
Maureen Gaffney, Outside Online, 30 Jan. 2025
The Lower Basin states presented a proposal that incorporated reductions for themselves but also called for cuts across the entire watershed — calculating storage capacity not just on the massive Lake Powell and Lake Mead, but also on five smaller reservoirs, including three in the Upper Basin.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 18 Feb. 2025
But dams throughout the watershed had robbed the fish of valuable habitat, and invasive small-mouth bass preyed on the chub, putting it on the endangered species list.
—Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2025
The Trump administration, to bolster the US lumber industry, recently ordered that half of America’s national forests be opened up for logging — a move criticized for its potential negative effects on the environment, species, watersheds, and recreation.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for watershed
Noun
No e-bikes are allowed anywhere in the watershed—even on fire roads—and bicycles are forbidden on the singletrack trails.
—Maureen Gaffney, Outside Online, 30 Jan. 2025
The Lower Basin states presented a proposal that incorporated reductions for themselves but also called for cuts across the entire watershed — calculating storage capacity not just on the massive Lake Powell and Lake Mead, but also on five smaller reservoirs, including three in the Upper Basin.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 18 Feb. 2025
But dams throughout the watershed had robbed the fish of valuable habitat, and invasive small-mouth bass preyed on the chub, putting it on the endangered species list.
—Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2025
The Trump administration, to bolster the US lumber industry, recently ordered that half of America’s national forests be opened up for logging — a move criticized for its potential negative effects on the environment, species, watersheds, and recreation.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for watershed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watershed
Noun
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Secretary of State Rubio and others have made no secret of the administration’s eagerness to complete a deal and, privately, officials acknowledge that the 100-day milestone looms large in White House thinking.—
Eric Green,
Time,
30 Apr. 2025
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The King of Kings reached this box office milestone within three weeks of its April 11 release in the U.S., hitting the theaters just ahead of the Good Friday and Easter holidays.—
Sara Merican,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Given the lack of standardized transparency across global skincare markets, in-house production serves a pivotal role.—
Xandra Harbet,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
-
The same videos played a pivotal role in the last trial, when a witness counted the drinks Read appeared to drink at both establishments.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The attractions, diversions, and climaxes just keep on coming: cortisol, dopamine, cortisol, dopamine, boom-boom-boom.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
23 Apr. 2025
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That’s why the ending works so well, an abrupt climax that’s darkly poetic and anything but normal.—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Trans groups are worried that Wednesday’s landmark decision will undermine their rights, even though Britain’s highest court said transgender people remain protected from discrimination.—
Kwiyeon Ha and Pan Pylas,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2025
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The open-air shopping area also represents a cultural landmark, with an impressive variety of galleries, theaters and restaurants serving up a taste of the city’s diverse flavors.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Pember’s journalism and advocacy, along with that of a growing number of writers and activists, both Native and not, are making clear the scope and impact of one major pillar of this epochal injustice.—
Charles Arrowsmith,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Apr. 2025
-
What Fielder and his pilots are really rehearsing is good citizenship in the midst of an epochal emergency.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
That’s exactly what WWE fans got inside Allegiant Stadium, with a short but sweet bout that ended in decisive fashion when Cargill demolished Naomi with a massive Jaded finisher.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
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And, in fact, Democrats are winning special elections month after month after month, including most recently a decisive one in Wisconsin earlier this month for the state Supreme Court.—
Isabel Danzis,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The video was shot in the city on Tuesday following a momentous meet-up in the park that was shut down by the NYPD.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2025
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Just in time for the momentous occasion, adidas Football is getting in on the action.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The bullpen gave up the lead on the first pitch, and then three more in the deciding 10th inning.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2025
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Travis weeks earlier cited as the deciding and unprecedented factor.—
Chris Vannini,
The Athletic,
9 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Watershed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watershed. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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