Synonyms

momentous

American

[moh-men-tuhs] / moʊˈmɛn təs /

adjective

of great or far-reaching importance or consequence.

a momentous day.

Synonyms:

serious, crucial, critical, vital

Antonyms:

trifling, trivial

momentous British

/ məʊˈmɛntəs /

adjective

of great significance

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See heavy.

Other Word Forms

momentously adverb
momentousness noun
unmomentous adjective
unmomentously adverb
unmomentousness noun

Etymology

Origin of momentous

First recorded in 1645–55; moment + -ous

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It has become customary for presidents to release pictures of themselves in the Situation Room at momentous times during their White House terms.

From Barron's

“We have been hearing from hundreds of stakeholders, academics, members of the public, other interested parties — and to be able to begin drafting charter language for the City Council to consider is pretty momentous.”

From Los Angeles Times

Humanists UK chief executive Andrew Copson said it was a "momentous vote of confidence for compassion, dignity, and choice at the end of life".

From BBC

Upon his reaching 70, Michael Tilson Thomas made a momentous meal of “Missa Solemnis” 11 years ago with a staged performance with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

From Los Angeles Times

These momentous moves speak to investors’ lofty expectations heading into Friday’s announcement.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023