epochal

[ep-uh-kuhl, ee-po-] / ˈɛp ə kəl, ˈi pɒ- /

ADJECTIVE

momentous

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

WEAK

big chips are down considerable critical earth-shaking earth-shattering grave heavy heavy number material of moment outstanding substantial vital

Antonyms

STRONGEST

inconsequential insignificant meaningless ordinary trivial uneventful unimportant unnoteworthy unremarkable unsubstantial

WEAK

immaterial trifling

ADJECTIVE

pivotal

Synonyms

STRONGEST

central climactic critical crucial decisive essential momentous vital

WEAK

cardinal determining focal middle overriding overruling principal ruling

Antonyms

STRONGEST

inessential minor secondary trivial uncritical unimportant

WEAK

inconsequential unsubstantial

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.

Going much further back, oil prices also rocketed during the epochal crisis of World War II in the 1940s.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 20, 2026

For a cricket-mad nation long waiting for its women to stand shoulder to shoulder with its men, this triumph felt epochal - the spark of a new era.

From BBC • Nov. 3, 2025

In the immediate aftermath of that epochal event, McCartney retreated to a 183-acre sheep farm on the Kintyre Peninsula in Argyllshire, Scotland, with his wife Linda and their young family.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 30, 2025

The scientists of the Manhattan Project, who helped build the bomb and then witnessed Trinity’s fireball, recognized—felt—its epochal shudder.

From Slate • Jul. 17, 2025

Lieutenant Scheisskopf unveiled his epochal surprise that Sunday with all the aplomb of an experienced impresario.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

epochal

Example Sentences

Related Words