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
Inner lives and relationships are exposed through sideways glances, simmering moments of silence, and dialogue that cuts in multiple directions, revealing shifting tectonic plates of alliances and relationships.
—
Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
Shideler also points out that plantings at elevation also benefit from complex soil types that exist from the tectonic and volcanic activity that formed the mountains millions of years ago.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2026
These mini-seismic events are not considered true earthquakes because there is no movement along faults or tectonic plate boundaries.
—Tammie Souza, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
The unique geologic profiles here—the Colorado Plateau, the Basin and Range region, the Rocky Mountains—are side effects of ancient inland seas, volcanic history, and an active boundary between two tectonic plates.
—Lauren Steele, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tectonic
Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
Shideler also points out that plantings at elevation also benefit from complex soil types that exist from the tectonic and volcanic activity that formed the mountains millions of years ago.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2026
These mini-seismic events are not considered true earthquakes because there is no movement along faults or tectonic plate boundaries.
—Tammie Souza, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
The unique geologic profiles here—the Colorado Plateau, the Basin and Range region, the Rocky Mountains—are side effects of ancient inland seas, volcanic history, and an active boundary between two tectonic plates.
—Lauren Steele, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tectonic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tectonic
Adjective
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Here's your daily look at traffic on major highways in the Kansas City area.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
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First of all, that very simple dress meant that every major dress manufacturer had to throw out their designs overnight and come up with a similar design.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Outside the energy sector, prices for fertilizer and aluminum — both significant Gulf exports — could also surge due to shipping disruptions.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
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That marked one of the most significant engagements between the two groups since a fragile ceasefire went into effect in November 2024, and Israel has not ruled out further action.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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For an overnight stay, the Cedar Key Bed & Breakfast offers a place to lay your head close to the historic downtown.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
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My bridal shower will be taking place at a historic inn, on a crystal blue Finger Lake in Upstate New York, at the end of April.—
Alexandra Ditch,
Vogue,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Heat will go from facing one of the worst teams in the NBA on Thursday to taking on the hottest team in the league in an important game on Friday.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
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But — and this is important — computers are tools not workers.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Amid the war with Iran and concern over that country's very capable cyber threat, Cramer will hear from Kurtz, one of the biggest leaders in the cybersecurity industry.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
4 Mar. 2026
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That’s the biggest growth period in US oil industry since production surged in World War II following the Great Depression.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tectonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tectonic. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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