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
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as in pivotal
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of watershed
Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025
For her, the exchange with the machine had felt like an existential watershed.
—D. Graham Burnett, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2025
Through stunning 360° visuals, the film makes tangible what most consumers never see: the literal draining of rivers, the poisoning of watersheds, and the human cost of our clothing’s hidden water footprint.
—Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
The northern Sierra — home to the state’s most productive watersheds — now sits at 109% of its April 1 average, with 29.2 inches of snow water.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for watershed
Noun
Intense atmospheric rivers and heavy snowpack accumulation across the Sierra Nevada and surrounding watersheds helped fill Lake Shasta at a record pace.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025
For her, the exchange with the machine had felt like an existential watershed.
—D. Graham Burnett, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2025
Through stunning 360° visuals, the film makes tangible what most consumers never see: the literal draining of rivers, the poisoning of watersheds, and the human cost of our clothing’s hidden water footprint.
—Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
The northern Sierra — home to the state’s most productive watersheds — now sits at 109% of its April 1 average, with 29.2 inches of snow water.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for watershed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for watershed
Noun
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Late last year, Factor celebrated a milestone of one million meals donated to the Aurora community during a similar ceremony.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2025
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Kansas City Chiefs rookie left tackle Josh Simmons continues to exceed expectations in his return from a knee injury while also hitting a milestone Wednesday.—
Jesse Newell,
Kansas City Star,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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Competing for the pivotal center position are Carter Miller and Cameron Kinnie, both vying to distinguish themselves and seize this critical spot in the lineup.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 May 2025
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Chiuri, who joined Dior in 2016 after her tenure at Valentino, has played a pivotal role in reshaping the French fashion house’s identity and product direction.—
Essence,
Essence,
30 May 2025
Noun
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With its vintage vibes and slow-burn suspense, the film, directed by Matt Palmer, captivates audiences with its brutal, twisty climax and echoes horror classics like Scream and Heathers.—
Jane LaCroix,
People.com,
24 May 2025
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Bird’s action scenes are their own symphonies, each with a distinct melody and a breathless climax.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
23 May 2025
Noun
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How college sports are preparing for ‘seismic change,’ including revenue sharing and new roster limits College athletic directors, including at Northwestern and Northern Illinois, have decisions to make on revenue sharing, roster limits and more as a landmark settlement heads to final approval.—
Eddie Pells,
Chicago Tribune,
7 June 2025
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In addition to Clooney, who plays Murrow in the stage production, Good Night, and Good Luck features a stellar cast portraying the real-life people behind the landmark broadcast.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
7 June 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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In the decisive third set, Sabalenka double-faulted to give Gauff a break for 2-1. Gauff led 3-1 and had break points for 4-1 but Sabalenka held and then broke for 3-all.—
Adam Zagoria,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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The next debate, in which the top-performing candidates face off, may prove to be more decisive.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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Other pictures and clips showed the teenager with some of his fellow prom-goers and a large shot of the entire class celebrating the momentous occasion.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
26 May 2025
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The foursome chipped into a momentous worst-to-first reversal for the Tar Heels.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
25 May 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 10 Jun. 2025.
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