Definition

Adjective: - Of great global significance or impact: Describing an event, idea, or change that is important enough to affect or influence the entire world.

Usage

This adjective is used to emphasize the monumental, earth-shattering importance of something. It is typically applied to proposals, discoveries, events, or changes that have profound, worldwide consequences. - It is often used in formal or journalistic contexts. - It can carry a hyperbolic or emphatic tone.

Examples

• The invention of the internet was a world-shaking development.
• The scientist presented a world-shaking theory about the origin of the universe.
• The two leaders discussed matters that were not exactly world-shaking.

Advanced Usage

• "world-shaking" vs. "world-shattering": These terms are often used interchangeably as synonyms to describe events of cataclysmic global importance. "World-shattering" can sometimes imply a more destructive or disruptive force.
  • The world-shaking news of the peace treaty spread quickly.
  • The world-shattering impact of the meteor altered the planet's climate.

Variants and Related Words

• Earthshaking (adjective): Having the power to shake the earth; of tremendous importance or impact. Often used synonymously with "world-shaking."
  • an earthshaking discovery
• World-shattering (adjective): Sufficiently powerful or significant to shatter the existing world order or understanding.
  • world-shattering events
• Global (adjective): Pertaining to the whole world. (Less emphatic than "world-shaking.")
• Epoch-making (adjective): Marking the beginning of a new and important period. Similar in scale but focused on defining an era.

Synonyms

• Momentous: Of great importance or significance.
• Historic: Famous or important in history.
• Cataclysmic: Relating to a violent natural event; causing great upheaval.
• Monumental: Great in importance, extent, or size.

Antonyms

• Insignificant: Too small or unimportant to be worth consideration.
• Trivial: Of little value or importance.
• Inconsequential: Not important or significant.

Adjective

1. sufficiently significant to affect the whole world
   • earthshaking proposals
   • the contest was no world-shaking affair
   • the conversation...could hardly be called world-shattering