Vocabulary in context
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Momentous
Of great importance or consequence; having a significant and lasting impact.
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Imagine This
Imagine a small town voting on funding a new hospital. The moment the vote passes, thousands gain access to care and the town's future changes for decades to come—this is a momentous decision in their history.
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Sounds Like
Pronunciation: /ˌmoʊˈmɛn.təs/ (MOH-men-tuss); emphasizes the second syllable.
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Looks Like
Looks like 'moment' + '-ous'; often confused with 'momentary'.
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Remember This
Momentous describes events or decisions with lasting significance. It is not used for everyday or trivial matters.
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Other Forms
momentousnessnoun
momentouslyadverb
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Connect With
significant, consequential, pivotal, historic, weighty, earth-shaking
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Note
Use momentous for turning-point events, breakthroughs, or decisions with long-term impact. It is stronger than 'significant' and closer in meaning to 'historic' or 'consequential'. Avoid applying it to minor achievements.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The signing of the peace treaty was a momentous occasion in world history.
- Choosing to pursue renewable energy was a momentous decision for the company.
Synonyms
significantconsequentialhistoricpivotalweighty
Antonyms
insignificanttrivialinconsequential
Etymology
From moment + the suffix -ous. The root moment comes from Latin momentum meaning 'movement, impulse, importance' (via Old French moment).
Mnemonic
MO-MENT-OUS: Moments Of Major Events — think of momentous as moments that mark major turning points and impact the future.
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Allege
verbTo claim that something is true, typically without providing proof or before evidence has been established; often used in legal or formal contexts to present a proposition as a matter of fact.
Pliant
adjectiveEasily bent or flexed; willing to yield or adapt to others' wishes or conditions.
Demagogue
nounA political leader who seeks power by appealing to the desires, fears, and prejudices of the public rather than by rational argument or evidence.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
Adamant
adjectiveRigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.
Adept
adjectiveHaving or showing a high level of skill or proficiency; very capable.
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