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
The Axial Seamount, as the volcano is known, is inflating with magma and causing earthquakes where two giant tectonic plates — the Pacific and Juan de Fuca plates — are spreading apart.
—
Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 11 May 2025
In South Florida, the shift of tectonic plates sees the evolution and rise of a sport both played on ice and played in the tropics.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
Tonga is more than 1,000 miles away from North Island, but they’re both located along the Tonga-Kermadec Trench, an underwater point where two tectonic plates meet.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2025
Many tectonic plates can shift in Florida in the next year or so.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tectonic
Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 11 May 2025
In South Florida, the shift of tectonic plates sees the evolution and rise of a sport both played on ice and played in the tropics.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
Tonga is more than 1,000 miles away from North Island, but they’re both located along the Tonga-Kermadec Trench, an underwater point where two tectonic plates meet.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2025
Many tectonic plates can shift in Florida in the next year or so.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tectonic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tectonic
Adjective
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April 2025 The Six of Swords: There is major transition and movement afoot for you this month, Libra.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 July 2025
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There have been 50 major model releases in just the first six months of 2025, with lots of different sizes, features, and use cases (see the table below).—
Steven Wolfe Pereira,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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Adding significant pieces on the open market is costly and risky, perhaps no more or less than daring to move on from Dobson.—
Rob Rossi,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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Among these are some of the most significant cases argued this term, including a pivotal question concerning birthright citizenship.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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The film opens with astronaut Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks) hosting a watch party in July 1969 for Neil Armstrong's historic first walk on the Moon.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
29 June 2025
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The San Juan Center purchased another piece of the historic block late last year at 1301 Main, known for its former tenant, Salvin Shoes.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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Burch said an important part of helping someone experiencing intimate partner violence is to give them back their sense of power and control.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Enquirer,
6 July 2025
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In our highly partisan political moment, civics education is perhaps more important than ever.—
John Fund,
National Review,
6 July 2025
Adjective
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Through their new Up Payment program, Progressive is helping more first-time and first-gen buyers take that first big step. Take out your phones and scan the QR code on the screen — or visit progressive.com/openthehouse — to start your journey today.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 July 2025
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Today, this kind of wildlife encounter would be a big no-no for safety reasons.—
Christine Peterson,
Wired News,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tectonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tectonic. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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