earthshaking

Also earth-shat·ter·ing,
Or earth-shak·ing

[urth-shey-king]

adjective

1. imperiling, challenging, or affecting basic beliefs, attitudes, relationships, etc.

earthshaking

/ ˈɜːθˌʃeɪkɪŋ /

adjective

1. informal,  of enormous importance or consequence; momentous

Other Word Forms

• earthshaker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of earthshaking¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; earth, shaking

Example Sentences

But silhouettes like this are evoked by the phrase “the art of fixing a shadow,” which is how William Henry Fox Talbot described his earthshaking invention of the negative-positive process that made photographs possible.

From Los Angeles Times

Because while it might not be earthshaking news, it bears repeating: Prolonged desk work can lead to a host of musculoskeletal issues, from annoying aches and pains to injuries.

From Los Angeles Times

For years, he threw himself long and hard against Carson’s legendary citadel of privacy and in 2002 got the first interview after Carson’s earthshaking retirement.

From Los Angeles Times

Nor are Taylor Swift’s earthshaking abilities unique to the music world.

From New York Times

She heard an earthshaking boom and, from her bathroom window, “all you saw was the flames.”

From Seattle Times