TECTONIC Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

tectonic

adjective

tek-ˈtä-nik

Definition of tectonic

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of tectonic The mountains of western North Carolina sit in the middle of the North American tectonic plate, according to the Center for Earthquake Research and Information at the University of Memphis. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2026 Mountains made tall by millions of years of violent, tectonic conflict. — Supriya Lopez Pillai, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026 Iceland has many distinctions as a land of fire and ice spanning the North American and European tectonic plates. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Sep. 2026 Biting into it feels tectonic, cracking and flaking and crumbling, the gravity of umami keeping it all together. — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tectonic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tectonic

Adjective

Of all the major North American sports, baseball is the only one without a salary cap.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
The next major milestone will be demonstrating the interceptor’s performance in flight.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of major

Adjective

Summed up, this all provides the ship with significant firepower potential.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
In July, the west-to-east ride across the state passed through a significant stretch of the northeastern Iowa district Mitchell hopes to represent.

— Washington Post, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of significant

Adjective

Police on Tuesday arrested a suspect in the arson attack that charred the historic city hall in Limoges, in central France, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said, adding that the person may not have acted alone.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
On Saturday alone, at least 2,400 people were arrested after rioters in cities across France clashed with police, set cars on fire, stormed public buildings, looted stores and engulfed a historic city hall in flames.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of historic

Adjective

Helium plays an important role in wind, solar and nuclear energy production, space exploration, medical imaging and research.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Education and giving back are important values to the family as the project represents for them a broader impact within the natural diamond industry.

— Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of important

Browse Nearby Words

technophobes

tectonic

tedious

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“Tectonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tectonic. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of tectonic

adjective

Example Sentences

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