MOMENT Synonyms: 126 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'moment' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of moment are consequence , importance , significance , and weight . While all these words mean "a quality or aspect having great worth or significance," moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence. // a decision of great moment

Q: Where would 'consequence' be a reasonable alternative to 'moment'?

The words consequence and moment can be used in similar contexts, but consequence generally implies importance because of probable or possible effects. // the style you choose is of little consequence

Q: When is 'importance' a more appropriate choice than 'moment'?

The synonyms importance and moment are sometimes interchangeable, but importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone. // a region with no cities of importance

Q: When can 'significance' be used instead of 'moment'?

While in some cases nearly identical to moment , significance implies a quality or character that should mark a thing as important but that is not self-evident and may or may not be recognized. // the treaty's significance

Q: When could 'weight' be used to replace 'moment'?

While the synonyms weight and moment are close in meaning, weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something. // the argument carried no weight with the judge

moment

noun

ˈmō-mənt

Definition of moment

as in time

a particular point at which an event takes place at that moment he suddenly turned around and headed toward me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in importance

the quality or state of being important an event of great moment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in minute

a very small space of time I'll be there in just a moment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in today

the time currently existing or in progress I'm not doing anything at the moment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun moment differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of moment are consequence, importance, significance, and weight. While all these words mean "a quality or aspect having great worth or significance," moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence.

a decision of great moment

Where would consequence be a reasonable alternative to moment?

The words consequence and moment can be used in similar contexts, but consequence generally implies importance because of probable or possible effects.

the style you choose is of little consequence

When is importance a more appropriate choice than moment?

The synonyms importance and moment are sometimes interchangeable, but importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone.

a region with no cities of importance

When can significance be used instead of moment?

While in some cases nearly identical to moment, significance implies a quality or character that should mark a thing as important but that is not self-evident and may or may not be recognized.

the treaty's significance

When could weight be used to replace moment?

While the synonyms weight and moment are close in meaning, weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something.

the argument carried no weight with the judge

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of moment After the final whistle blew and this Norway team had made history, Haaland took a moment and looked into the Norwegian cheering section, trying to process what had just happened. — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 6 July 2026 With three Japanese players around him, the decision to immediately engage during such a transitional moment was incorrect. — Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026 Instead, Alfonzo’s first appearance, the culmination of nine tireless years, was somber , stricken by the grief overshadowing what should’ve been a joyous moment in the Dodgers’ to the Padres. — Liana Handler follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026 Meline Rosales, Mike Winters Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news. — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for moment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for moment

Noun

While wedding vows typically last about one to three minutes per person, Swift and Kelce took their time celebrating one another on their big day.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 6 July 2026
The extraordinary strait lockdown could make this time different.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 6 July 2026

Definition of time

Noun

There is no public address system reminding some fans the importance of a looming third down.

— Sam McDowell Updated July 3, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
The importance of falling well has only grown as players have adapted movement patterns from clay and hard courts to grass.

— Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 3 July 2026

Definition of importance

Noun

And when Cape Verde’s Deroy Duarte evened the score with a right footed shot from a difficult angle at the 59-minute mark, the stunned stadium went silent, minus two small spirited clots of Cape Verde fans in the East end zone seats.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
Niehues fired home the rebound for the opening goal in the 36th minute.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of minute

Noun

For the special occasion, Stone dazzled in what appeared to be either a strapless or a one-shoulder gown, per a photo obtained by E!

— Robyn Merrett, InStyle, 5 July 2026
Next up is a mouthwatering quarterfinal against Naomi Osaka, a Wimbledon occasion that will hopefully be worth the wait.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of occasion

Noun

Bryan West Madison Square Garden does hold personal significance for Swift.

— Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Second lady Usha Vance mocking The New York Times for reading political significance into her Old Navy maternity dress and the New York Knicks celebrating their NBA title were featured in last week's News Quiz.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Definition of significance

Noun

First-round pick Cameron Carr only played in the first half Monday, finishing with five points, one rebound, one assist, one steal, one block and three fouls in 12 minutes and 49 seconds.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Within seconds of arriving, we were checked in, and our luggage was tagged and whisked away, giving us ample time to use the bathroom and enjoy a cup of coffee in the lounge.

— Annie Archer, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Definition of second

Noun

The only way to preserve our republic is to strengthen the pillars of our present with the mortar of our past.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
The thread of citizen rights and responsibilities weaves through each of these, uniting evolving conceptions of freedom, self-government, and individual achievement from the nation’s past through to its present.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 4 July 2026

Definition of present

Browse Nearby Words

mome

moment

momenta

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“Moment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moment. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of moment

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Synonyms of moment

noun

Synonym Chooser

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Phrases Containing moment

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on moment

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

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Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

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One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

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Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes