diastrophism

1 of 2

noun

di·​as·​tro·​phism dī-ˈa-strə-ˌfi-zəm How to pronounce diastrophism (audio)
: tectonism
diastrophic
ˌdī-ə-ˈsträ-fik How to pronounce diastrophism (audio)
adjective
diastrophically
ˌdī-ə-ˈsträ-fi-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce diastrophism (audio)
adverb

diastrophic

2 of 2

adjective

di·​a·​stroph·​ic ¦dīə¦sträfik How to pronounce diastrophic (audio)
: of, having reference to, or caused by diastrophism
diastrophically adverb

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Greek diastrophē twisting, from diastrephein to distort, from dia- + strephein to twist

First Known Use

Noun

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diastrophism was in 1890

Rhymes for diastrophism

See All Rhymes for diastrophism

Browse Nearby Words

diastrophic
diastrophism
diastyle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Diastrophism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diastrophism. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

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Kids Definition

diastrophism

noun
di·​as·​tro·​phism dī-ˈas-trə-ˌfiz-əm How to pronounce diastrophism (audio)
: tectonism
diastrophic
ˌdī-ə-ˈsträf-ik How to pronounce diastrophism (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on diastrophism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about diastrophism

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