as in major
having great meaning or lasting effect
earthshaking news—the President has been assassinated
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of earthshaking
It also should be said that the $85 million value of the missing parts matches the price to procure one F-35A fighter—obviously an important sum, but not an earthshaking loss.
—
Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 8 June 2023
Overall length is down 0.8 inch; that's as earthshaking as the differences get.
—Patrick Bedard, Car and Driver, 1 June 2023
Other nominees included Mary J. Blige, who gave an earthshaking performance during the main broadcast, PJ Morton, and Lucky Daye.
—Jonah Valdezstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2023
The convergence is a reminder of just how earthshaking #MeToo was for Hollywood.
—Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 24 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for earthshaking
Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 8 June 2023
Overall length is down 0.8 inch; that's as earthshaking as the differences get.
—Patrick Bedard, Car and Driver, 1 June 2023
Other nominees included Mary J. Blige, who gave an earthshaking performance during the main broadcast, PJ Morton, and Lucky Daye.
—Jonah Valdezstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2023
The convergence is a reminder of just how earthshaking #MeToo was for Hollywood.
—Brooks Barnes, New York Times, 24 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for earthshaking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for earthshaking
Adjective
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Following the price gouging session, two major refineries — Valero in the San Francisco Bay Area and Wilmington Phillips 66 in the Los Angeles area — have shut down, taking hundreds of jobs and nearly one-fifth of the state's gasoline production with them.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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On Day 1, the astronauts made it safely into Earth's orbit and the mission reached the end of its first major propulsion phase, NASA said.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Another important note to make is that Lupaia is closed during the winter season for improvements to the rooms, garden, public area, and overall guest experience since the weather is too unpredictable to welcome guests during that time anyway.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
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Nonresidents have such an important role to play in the management of wildlife in Wyoming, and obviously nonresident [hunting and fishing] licenses cost a lot more than resident ones do.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Leon was seeking gender reassignment surgery, which come to play a significant role in the climax of the hostage crisis precipitated by his partner.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
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Leon is seeking gender confirmation surgery and his needs come to play a significant role in the climax of the hostage crisis precipitated by his partner.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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There were questions, as late as Friday, whether the 26,700-seat stadium would be ready to host the historic occasion.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
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And with those words from Mission Control on April 2, the Artemis II astronauts were given the green light to fire up their engine, leave Earth orbit and head for their historic rendezvous with the moon.—
Robert Abitbol,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Even so, Olsson still remained her biggest critic.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
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Kitchen staff pile the plates high with big portions, ensuring leftovers to take home.—
Joe Marusak
April 1,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Earthshaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/earthshaking. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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