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 question is whether China’s new export restrictions are simply retaliatory or represent a tectonic shift in trade policy.
—
Charlie Campbell, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
Since 1999 Goldfinger and his team have been drilling into the seafloor at this tectonic crossroads, known as the Mendocino Triple Junction, to pull up cores that show a cross section of the sediments that have built up there.
—Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 10 Oct. 2025
The Fed came within a hair of its 2% target by the end of last year, but then Trump’s aggressive policies shifted the tectonic plates of the economy.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2025
And so, to Paris, where the tectonic plates of a historic reshuffling of creative directors is grinding into place.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tectonic
Charlie Campbell, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
Since 1999 Goldfinger and his team have been drilling into the seafloor at this tectonic crossroads, known as the Mendocino Triple Junction, to pull up cores that show a cross section of the sediments that have built up there.
—Jack Tamisiea, Scientific American, 10 Oct. 2025
The Fed came within a hair of its 2% target by the end of last year, but then Trump’s aggressive policies shifted the tectonic plates of the economy.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2025
And so, to Paris, where the tectonic plates of a historic reshuffling of creative directors is grinding into place.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tectonic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tectonic
Adjective
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The Oceans 11 star said that being in such close proximity to major stars taught him an important lesson early in his career.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
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Later, Owsley Brown II served as board president during major funding drives to build the theater's facilities.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This wholly bespoke drivetrain required some significant changes to the vehicle beyond just cutting a hole in the chassis.—
Tim Stevens,
Robb Report,
23 Oct. 2025
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With his unique falsetto, emotional delivery and irresistible backstory — retreating to a cabin in the woods following a pair of personal and professional breakups to record in solitude — Bon Iver earned significant industry respect and a devoted cult following.—
Andrew Unterberger,
Billboard,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The restoration aligns with federal responsibilities under historic-preservation law and recent executive orders to beautify the nation's capital and restore pre-existing statues.—
NPR,
NPR,
28 Oct. 2025
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So said Matilde Ratti on a video call with WWD ahead of the celebrations that over the weekend marked the 80th anniversary of the historic Italian multibrand retailer bearing her surname.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Oceans 11 star said that being in such close proximity to major stars taught him an important lesson early in his career.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
-
For Arsenal, consistency of performances and results is so important to Arteta, with the 43-year-old often highlighting its significance in building them back to being one of Europe’s elite sides.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The formation of this new military service is the biggest signal yet that the United States is preparing to deter wars in space and, in the worst-case scenario, fight them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
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This is the web version of Fortune Tech, a daily newsletter breaking down the biggest players and stories shaping the future.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tectonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tectonic. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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