as in major
having great meaning or lasting effect
a tectonic shift in societal trends occurred in the 1960s
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tectonic
Earthquakes and volcanic activity both stem from the movement of the earth’s tectonic plates.
—
Chad De Guzman, Time, 4 Aug. 2025
California is at the edge of the San Andreas fault system, which has two tectonic plates: the Pacific Ocean plate and the North American plate.
—Alexa St. John, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025
Indeed, this pulsing plume is concentrated where three tectonic plates converge.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 25 June 2025
In this case, the size of the tectonic plate rupture and subsequent sea-level rise was not as large as comparably sized earthquakes that have caused much more damaging tsunamis, Simmers said.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tectonic
Chad De Guzman, Time, 4 Aug. 2025
California is at the edge of the San Andreas fault system, which has two tectonic plates: the Pacific Ocean plate and the North American plate.
—Alexa St. John, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025
Indeed, this pulsing plume is concentrated where three tectonic plates converge.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 25 June 2025
In this case, the size of the tectonic plate rupture and subsequent sea-level rise was not as large as comparably sized earthquakes that have caused much more damaging tsunamis, Simmers said.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tectonic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tectonic
Adjective
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The first major exhibition for Fujimoto (born 1971 in Hokkaido, Japan), designer of the Expo 2025 Grand Ring, presents a comprehensive overview in eight sections with a genuinely immersive and interactive experience.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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Top cheap internet service providers in Louisville, KY Internet service in Louisville is competitive, with several major providers offering coverage across the city.—
Kara McGinley,
USA Today,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Many of them even took him on in races from the blocks, with Phelps often giving the Ravens players a significant head start before diving in.—
Sophie Kaufman,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Ultimately, Putin does not appear to have yet changed his war calculus, and experts highlighted that there are some significant differences between Putin and his Soviet predecessor, Gorbachev, that make this upcoming talk vastly different.—
Caitlin McFall,
FOXNews.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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On Monday morning, Trump unveiled his plans, announcing a historic escalation of law enforcement in D.C. by deploying the National Guard to patrol the streets and placing the city’s police department under federal control.—
John R. Lott Jr,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Aug. 2025
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While the stock market soared to historic highs this week, the latest report from the consumer price index showed the cost of some everyday goods is climbing and the Federal Reserve announced that, across the board, inflation was unchanged.—
Grace Miserocchi,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Fungi also play an important role in breaking down dead wood and leaves in forest ecosystems.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Aug. 2025
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His background is in sports science, so body mechanics are important to him.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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After a rough start on floor, Hang roared back with a clean and powerful vault, good for a big 14.050.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
9 Aug. 2025
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Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published.—
Lisa Song,
ProPublica,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tectonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tectonic. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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