1
: of, subject to, or caused by an earthquake
also
: of or relating to an earth vibration caused by something else (such as an explosion or the impact of a meteorite)
2
: of or relating to a vibration on a celestial body (such as the moon) comparable to a seismic event on earth
3
: having a strong or widespread impact : earthshaking
seismic social changes
Examples of seismic in a Sentence
Seismic social changes have occurred.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sitting near the boundary of the massive African and Eurasian tectonic plates, Santorini often experiences seismic activity, but rarely so intensely for so long.
—
Sophie Tanno, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025
Events of the past few days, starting with the seismic trade reverberating around the NBA, shook up just about everyone.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2025
Seismologists estimate that the high seismic activity could take days or weeks to abate, although locals and government officials said the shaking had lessened on Wednesday.
—Reuters, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025
Predicting earthquakes is not scientifically possible, and experts cannot determine definitively whether the seismic activity between the islands of Santorini and Amorgos is a precursor to a significantly larger earthquake, or is part of weeks or months of small or moderate intensity quakes.
—Elena Becatoros, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for seismic 
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Sophie Tanno, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025
Events of the past few days, starting with the seismic trade reverberating around the NBA, shook up just about everyone.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2025
Seismologists estimate that the high seismic activity could take days or weeks to abate, although locals and government officials said the shaking had lessened on Wednesday.
—Reuters, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025
Predicting earthquakes is not scientifically possible, and experts cannot determine definitively whether the seismic activity between the islands of Santorini and Amorgos is a precursor to a significantly larger earthquake, or is part of weeks or months of small or moderate intensity quakes.
—Elena Becatoros, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for seismic
Dictionary Entries Near seismic
Cite this Entry
“Seismic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seismic. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
seismic
adjective
seis·mic
ˈsīz-mik 
ˈsīs-
: of, subject to, or caused by an earthquake or an earth vibration caused by something else (as an explosion)
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