as in major
having great meaning or lasting effect
a tectonic shift in societal trends occurred in the 1960s
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Recent Examples of tectonic
Greece is one of the most seismically active countries in Europe, sitting atop the complex boundary between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates.
—
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
During many millennia of rubbing and shifting, Earth’s tectonic plates moved the Gulf of Mexico and its traditional game of golf in a southwesterly direction to their President location.
—Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Afghanistan's earthquakes mainly happen in the Hindu Kush mountain range, where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.
—Mohammad Yunus Yawar, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
The Mediterranean’s isolation could also have been the outcome of tectonic processes.
—Elizabeth Fernandez, Big Think, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tectonic
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
During many millennia of rubbing and shifting, Earth’s tectonic plates moved the Gulf of Mexico and its traditional game of golf in a southwesterly direction to their President location.
—Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Afghanistan's earthquakes mainly happen in the Hindu Kush mountain range, where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.
—Mohammad Yunus Yawar, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
The Mediterranean’s isolation could also have been the outcome of tectonic processes.
—Elizabeth Fernandez, Big Think, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tectonic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tectonic
Adjective
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In 2024, Nepal ranked 107th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, with 84% of people perceiving government corruption to be a major problem.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
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The Atlanta carrier plummeted from first place in 2022 to seventh in 2024 — the biggest drop of any major airline.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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So, Hilleary will be in the odd position of facing a significant pay cut for getting a big promotion on Capitol Hill.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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According to Pliops, deploying Pliops XDP LightningAI in data centers offers significant cost savings.—
Thomas Coughlin,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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From host Nate Bargatze's Boys and Girls Club gamble to Tramell Tillman's historic win, here are the most notable highs and lows from the Primetime Emmy Awards.—
Kristen Baldwin,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Sep. 2025
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Consumer sentiment is slipping near historic lows.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The plants captured more carbon without drawing more water, an important factor for real-world applications.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
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Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Housed in a tube that’s significantly bigger than most brow gels, the fatter, curved side of the spoolie brush applies the product and fluffs up brows, while the flat side arranges arches.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Save from isolated slip-ups, all addressed by and mended with the captain, there were no big issues.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tectonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tectonic. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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