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
Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 28 May 2025
Along the way, participants can learn more about L.A.’s watershed and the environmental challenges unique to the region.
—Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 22 May 2025
Also, the depth of the stream varies directly in proportion to recent rainfall in the watershed.
—arkansasonline.com, 6 July 2025
Here are the top headlines: Stream restoration and other improvements are underway in the Mill Creek watershed by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, aiming to heal some of the ecological damage the creek has suffered.
—Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for watershed
Adjective
The canines also remained in watersheds just west of metro Denver in Boulder, Gilpin and Clear Creek counties, the map shows.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 28 May 2025
Along the way, participants can learn more about L.A.’s watershed and the environmental challenges unique to the region.
—Holly Alvarado, Oc Register, 22 May 2025
Also, the depth of the stream varies directly in proportion to recent rainfall in the watershed.
—arkansasonline.com, 6 July 2025
Here are the top headlines: Stream restoration and other improvements are underway in the Mill Creek watershed by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, aiming to heal some of the ecological damage the creek has suffered.
—Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for watershed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watershed
Noun
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The milestone also brought to mind a funny moment William shared years ago about George’s birthday.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
23 July 2025
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Leading critics of the projects hailed Tuesday’s vote as a milestone in the fight to rein in San Diego’s unusually aggressive incentive for backyard apartments, which are formally called accessory dwelling units, or ADUs.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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Although initial discussions started around 1999, the pivotal moment came during the blackouts of 2001.—
David Blekhman,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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Lorde, whose music is featured at a pivotal moment in the show, also attended a performance at the Booth Theatre last week.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
15 July 2025
Noun
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One or more of these golfers is likely to be in the mix by the time Sunday’s final round reaches its climax.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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This unrest reached a climax after his defeat in the 2022 general election, when Bolsonaristas stormed the Three Powers Square on Jan. 8, 2023, just days after Lula’s inauguration.—
Emi Eleode,
Time,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
What beloved Valley landmarks used to look like Metro Phoenix has always been in a constant state of change.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
26 July 2025
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Paddle down the Cumberland River and enjoy sights like Riverfront Park and other Nashville landmarks.—
Diana Leyva,
The Tennessean,
26 July 2025
Adjective
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What’s arguably even more remarkable is that unless something changes very soon, the humans making that epochal discovery might not be NASA and the American space scientists who power it.—
Adam Frank,
The Atlantic,
4 July 2025
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These going-through-the-motions trade talks are more likely than epochal realignments of frameworks governing exports and imports.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Curiously, the two players who were decisive in last night’s tie, Coll and Bonmati, were the two major issues for Spain in the run-up to and during these Euros.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
24 July 2025
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The decisive feature that demonstrates the fossil was likely an early arachnid is the unique organization of the brain -- a reverse of the front-to-back arrangement found in present-day crustaceans, insects, centipedes and horseshoe crabs, the researchers said.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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The momentous changes accomplished by Haussmannization were equaled, especially in the latter years of the century, by a dedication to the pleasures of bourgeois life in Paris.—
Jennifer Dasal
July 16,
Literary Hub,
16 July 2025
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This transformation represented a momentous development in world politics: At least some portion of the legitimacy of a state’s control was now realized through its relationships and capacity to keep the peace, rather than resting solely on its ability to use force.—
Andrew Latham,
The Conversation,
16 July 2025
Adjective
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Instead, the person must show race was the crucial and deciding factor.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Watershed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/watershed. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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