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
Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2025
Neal, who says he’s always been an environmentalist, put in a provision mandating that developers who destroy a wetland habitat must create an enhanced habitat (larger or more diverse) somewhere in the same watershed.
—Monica Hunter-Hart, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
The plant’s damage potential and the fact that this plant is listed as one of the top 10 invasive weeds in the world, has heightened concern over the discovery in 2011 of patches of it beginning to take hold in both the San Geronimo and Lagunitas Creek watersheds.
—Martha Proctor, Mercury News, 1 May 2025
The map, which covers activity between March 25 and Tuesday of this week, also shows wolf activity in watersheds that cover densely populated areas farther east, including Boulder, Jefferson and Douglas counties.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for watershed
Noun
At least one wolf was tracked in a Western Slope watershed that includes the Interstate 70 corridor through Mesa County and abuts the northern border of Delta County.
—Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2025
Neal, who says he’s always been an environmentalist, put in a provision mandating that developers who destroy a wetland habitat must create an enhanced habitat (larger or more diverse) somewhere in the same watershed.
—Monica Hunter-Hart, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
The plant’s damage potential and the fact that this plant is listed as one of the top 10 invasive weeds in the world, has heightened concern over the discovery in 2011 of patches of it beginning to take hold in both the San Geronimo and Lagunitas Creek watersheds.
—Martha Proctor, Mercury News, 1 May 2025
The map, which covers activity between March 25 and Tuesday of this week, also shows wolf activity in watersheds that cover densely populated areas farther east, including Boulder, Jefferson and Douglas counties.
—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for watershed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watershed
Noun
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No information on timing was provided but Mark Marshall, Chairman of Global Advertising and Partnerships at NBCU, recently told Deadline that the milestone will be celebrated in the fall.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
12 May 2025
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As the 2024-25 school year winds down, with graduation set for Thursday, May 29, teachers are looking ahead to the fall to celebrate the milestone in full swing.—
Madison Beveridge,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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More news: Yankees Make Trade, Send Pitcher to NL Central Club In the 2021 postseason, Matzek played a pivotal role in the Braves' World Series run, going 3-0 with a 1.72 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 13 appearances and 15.2 innings.—
Noah Camras,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
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Gilgeous-Alexander, who admitted that nerves were a factor early on in what was the first Game 7 for the core players, finished with 35 points (12-of-19 shooting) while playing his pivotal role on the other end as well.—
Sam Amick,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Noun
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And there’s an undulation that resembles a female orgasm that steps away from this 1-2-3, punch of the climax and a sigh of relief in the last five minutes, and the movie’s over.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
18 May 2025
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Much of this narrative climax rests on the idea that Tesfaye’s toxicity is common knowledge — though what that means in literal terms goes unacknowledged.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
16 May 2025
Noun
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For decades, private individuals and groups have brought the majority of lawsuits for enforcing the landmark law's Section 2 protections against racial discrimination in the election process.—
Hansi Lo Wang,
NPR,
14 May 2025
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Regarding Dunne’s selection, Sports Illustrated credits her landmark achievements in collegiate name, image, and likeness (NIL).—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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For a country so historically averse to government debt, the speed and scope of these decisions demonstrate how deeply German officials believe that the change in Europe’s relationship with the United States is epochal.—
Arancha González Laya,
Foreign Affairs,
12 May 2025
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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
Adjective
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Today's ruling is another clear and decisive victory that will ensure the lives of countless unborn children remain protected and that South Carolina continues to lead the charge in defending the sanctity of life.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
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Charlotte’s victory in the series-deciding finale improved its record to 3-4 all time in its modern history (since 1994) and was the second in three season; Charlotte won the decisive third game of a best-of-three series in 2023 over Lehigh Valley.—
Richard Walker,
Charlotte Observer,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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Even casual fans are speculating on the significance of Johansson hosting the final episode of this momentous year.—
Andy Hoglund Updated,
EW.com,
18 May 2025
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The annual meeting was held on the same day, with further discussion about Berkshire Hathaway’s operations and the momentous announcement of Buffett’s retirement as CEO at the end of the year.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
16 May 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 25 May. 2025.
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