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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

watershed

2 of 2

adjective

as in pivotal

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

Seven tribes signed on with state agencies and local governments to formally co-manage the Clear Lake watershed, the first agreement of its kind under a new state tribal stewardship initiative. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 About 4 million acres in California are affected, including watersheds of the American, Rubicon and Yuba rivers. — Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Adjective

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 The utility has spent $96 million since 2010 to restore forests in this region, including spraying some pines in hopes of protecting them from infestation, said Madelene McDonald, its watershed planning manager. — Jennifer Oldham, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for watershed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for watershed

Noun

The team also completed a critical-design review, another milestone in preparing the technology for delivery.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
The Max 10's certification represents another milestone in Boeing's efforts to restore its reputation and financial footing after years of safety, quality and production challenges.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of milestone

Adjective

An average of four recent polls puts the two camps at roughly 50 and 53 seats, respectively, leaving Arab parties and smaller factions potentially pivotal.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Cities have turned into battlefields as top EU economies, including France, Italy and Spain, approach pivotal elections, while far-right parties have made electoral gains in Germany and could do so elsewhere.

— TERESA MEDRANO, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of pivotal

Noun

You may be forgiven for anticipating a potboiler climax when a lush hideaway with a private beach is concerned, and what occurs there is indeed juicy.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
The 2026 Formula 1 season is edging closer to its climax, with just six more races to go and the World Champion could be crowned soon, if not this Sunday.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of climax

Adjective

Brandon McElroy, who founded the nonprofit Green Air Solutions to lead the fight against J7, said in an interview that the denial was a decisive win.

— Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
Despite Paolo Banchero’s 35 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds against the Hawks, the Magic had 20 turnovers and shot 1-of-12 from 3-point range in the decisive fourth quarter.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 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

Tuesday is a momentous day for fans of the New York Knicks, as the 2025-26 NBA championship banner will finally be raised at Madison Square Garden — a moment longtime fans have been awaiting for for 53 years.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
To have measles spreading so aggressively again now, a quarter century after this momentous occasion, is not some unfortunate but unavoidable expression of nature, like an earthquake.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of momentous

Browse Nearby Words

waters down

watershed

watersheds

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Watershed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watershed. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of watershed

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on watershed

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

puissant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 23

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes