Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

sea change

American  

noun

  1. a striking change, as in appearance, often for the better.

  2. any major transformation or alteration.

  3. a transformation brought about by the sea.

sea change British  

noun

  1. a seemingly magical change, as brought about by the action of the sea

"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

Etymology

Origin of sea change

First recorded in 1600–10

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.

That is a sea change, and it’s something I haven’t totally wrapped my mind around yet.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026

The enthusiastic assessments of both men, which have been echoed by Trump, reflect the sea change in relations between Washington and Caracas since the capture of Maduro.

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

In light of this year’s sea change for the stock market, it is time for an update.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 26, 2026

The Inspector General’s Office is now expected to undergo a sea change with the retirement of the only leader it has ever had.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2025

By honoring both the invention of an essential instrument for large-scale research and the creation of a laboratory model to put it to use, the Nobel committee validated a sea change in science.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.