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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of watershed
Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2025
The researchers estimated that pumping from wells has drained about 34 cubic kilometers, or 28 million acre-feet, of groundwater in the watershed since 2003 — more than twice the amount of water that has been depleted from the river’s reservoirs during that time.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
To protect its drinking water — 90 percent of which comes from Catskills watersheds — the city spent nearly three decades accumulating 156,350 acres of forest and fields.
—Tim Heffernan, New York Times, 4 May 2025
Small rivers in the upper watershed rose quickly, some cresting at historic levels, and have already come back down.
—Amy Graff, New York Times, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for watershed
Noun
More than a dozen partner organizations showcase wildlife in the watershed.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2025
The researchers estimated that pumping from wells has drained about 34 cubic kilometers, or 28 million acre-feet, of groundwater in the watershed since 2003 — more than twice the amount of water that has been depleted from the river’s reservoirs during that time.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
To protect its drinking water — 90 percent of which comes from Catskills watersheds — the city spent nearly three decades accumulating 156,350 acres of forest and fields.
—Tim Heffernan, New York Times, 4 May 2025
Small rivers in the upper watershed rose quickly, some cresting at historic levels, and have already come back down.
—Amy Graff, New York Times, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for watershed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watershed
Noun
-
The milestone was noted in the measurement firm’s latest edition of The Gauge, a monthly snapshot of TV viewership.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
17 June 2025
-
There was a chance the library might not have made it to the half-century milestone after structural damage to its home at 555 N. La Grange Road forced officials to undertake a major building renovation.—
Hank Beckman,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
These three organizations were pivotal to Hurricane Helene relief efforts and continue to help the community rebuild.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
24 June 2025
-
The images of the attack were pivotal to Erin Smith's efforts to change the designation of her husband's death.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
Game 5s are the beginning of the climax in a close series.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
-
This is the literal last day of the shoot, which also unfortunately is the climax of Episode 10.—
William Earl,
Variety,
12 June 2025
Noun
-
The landmark agreement is the equivalent of NBC, or another major American commercial network, handing over its output to Netflix.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
19 June 2025
-
The halls of this storied landmark have long been filled with ambition and elegance.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
Serra’s epochal sculpture incomparably performed the necessary condition of the anti-monument: The work’s location literally prohibited any form of communicative action.—
Benjamin H. D. Buchloh,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
-
Such a decision would express a deplorably poor imagination of the role of political leadership at an epochal turn for our communities and our planet.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
1 June 2025
Adjective
-
Yamamoto allowed eight runs in six innings across two regular-season starts last year against the Padres and then had a bad start in Game 1 of the NLDS (3 IP, 5 ER) before throwing five shutout innings in the decisive Game 5.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 June 2025
-
Iran came to Russia’s aid in its war with Ukraine, playing a decisive role through supplying the model for its cheap and effective Shahed drones, which Russia has used to significant effect.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
To honor that momentous first step for the 51’s fortunate 100 owners, The Glenrothes has commissioned a Kintsugi artist to reassemble the column into a unique piece of art, perhaps a vase to grow an orchid like those that grow wild on The Glenrothes Estate and inspired the 51.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
23 June 2025
-
Jin, catching the fervor behind the formulas, coaxes her to speak from the heart about architecture—in a scene that emphasizes the momentous happenstance of their meeting.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
Instead, the person must show race was the crucial and deciding factor.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Watershed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watershed. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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