momentous

[ moh-men-tuhs ]

adjective

1. of great or far-reaching importance or consequence:

   a momentous day.

   Synonyms: serious, crucial, critical, vital

   Antonyms: trifling, trivial

momentous

/ məʊˈmɛntəs /

adjective

1. of great significance

Derived Forms

• moˈmentousness, noun
• moˈmentously, adverb

Other Words From

• mo·mentous·ly adverb
• mo·mentous·ness noun
• unmo·mentous adjective
• unmo·mentous·ly adverb
• unmo·mentous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of momentous¹

First recorded in 1645–55; moment + -ous

Synonym Study

See heavy.

Example Sentences

He returned when she took on the Abner Louima case, which was as momentous in 1999 as the Michael Brown case in Ferguson is now.

From The Daily Beast

There is something mysterious and possibly momentous, indeed even disturbing, about this most recent story in the Times.

From The Daily Beast

It was, of course, a momentous book, in our memory and in its own time.

From The Daily Beast

Speaking of time flying by, you have an extremely momentous birthday coming up.

From The Daily Beast

Thirty years ago this week, Ronald Reagan made perhaps the most momentous decision of his presidency.

From The Daily Beast

These are few and verbal, but momentous, and were not made without consultation of many critical authorities and versions.

From Project Gutenberg

Not one word did Mrs. Dodd utter for many days to her husband of her momentous conversation with the squire.

From Project Gutenberg

Congress met, and during the debate on the momentous question—peace or war—the hitherto compact group of intransigents weakened.

From Project Gutenberg

The king, however, soon forgot the neglect of etiquette in the momentous questions which were pressing upon his attention.

From Project Gutenberg

It would be curious to investigate the feelings of princes on occasions so momentous to themselves and to their people.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• consequential
• crucial
• decisive
• eventful
• far-reaching
• fateful
• historic
• meaningful
• memorable
• notable
• pivotal
• significant
• weighty