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
Having broken off from the southern supercontinent Gondwana roughly 120 million years ago, the Indian landmass drifted north, moving far faster than most tectonic plates do today.
—
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
At the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge off the Norwegian coast, molten rock rises from deep within the Earth between spreading tectonic plates.
—Christian Elliott, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
Between 24 and seven million years ago, shifting tectonic plates caused to alps to rise up and caused the collapse of the valley floor, allowing water from the Mediterranean to enter.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2025
This is a book of big themes, an analysis of how the tectonic plates of geopolitics have collided over the past century and how their current movement again threatens conflict and turmoil.
—John Hillen, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tectonic
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
At the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge off the Norwegian coast, molten rock rises from deep within the Earth between spreading tectonic plates.
—Christian Elliott, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
Between 24 and seven million years ago, shifting tectonic plates caused to alps to rise up and caused the collapse of the valley floor, allowing water from the Mediterranean to enter.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2025
This is a book of big themes, an analysis of how the tectonic plates of geopolitics have collided over the past century and how their current movement again threatens conflict and turmoil.
—John Hillen, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tectonic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tectonic
Adjective
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Nevertheless, supporters are calling the Texas law a major win for the school choice movement.—
Kayla Jimenez,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
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She is based in the CBS News London Bureau, and reports on major events across Europe and the Middle East.—
Elizabeth Palmer,
CBS News,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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He was faced with significant second-guessing from fellow Democrats about his ability to finish the race before ultimately deciding to end his campaign.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
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However, these new drugs carry significant challenges, including high costs, the need for frequent brain scans to monitor serious side effects and the risk of swelling or bleeding in the brain.—
Allen Chang,
ABC News,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The historic anniversary commemorates the first act of the country's reunification on April 30, 1975 when Communist-run North Vietnam seized Saigon, the capital of the U.S.-backed South, renamed Ho Chi Minh City shortly after the war in honor of the North's founding leader.—
Minh Nguyen and Francesco Guarascio,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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The group's latest initiative continues its campaign of peaceful resistance, using the symbolism of May Day—a historic day of worker solidarity—to spotlight broader concerns about democracy and rising authoritarianism.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Three Key Lessons: Pareek’s Insights into Innovation Over the course of his career, Pareek has learned many important lessons.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
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In the end, the team found an old pizza parlor which doubled up as a gas station, an important location in a show where the protagonists are constantly encountering new people on their journey.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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For some, the season also brings big relationship shifts, too.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
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From a regulatory perspective, there are only three big ingredient categories in skin care: over-the-counter drugs; over-the-counter pharmaceuticals; and cosmetics.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tectonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tectonic. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
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