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
Explaining that uptick is a challenge, given the region sits in the middle of the North American tectonic plate rather than along a volatile fault zone line, according to the Center for Earthquake Research and Information at the University of Memphis.
—
Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2025
The pressure and heat of deep burial and tectonic events over eons have transformed the silt into a hard metamorphic rock, and the microbial carbon in it has metamorphosed into graphite.
—Howard Lee, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2025
After continents rift, or break apart, hot, dense rock detaches from the base of tectonic plates in blobs, which generate waves beneath Earth’s crust.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2025
Situated along the 25,000-mile Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the confluence of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, the island is still one of the most seismically active places on the planet.
—Robin Catalano, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tectonic
Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2025
The pressure and heat of deep burial and tectonic events over eons have transformed the silt into a hard metamorphic rock, and the microbial carbon in it has metamorphosed into graphite.
—Howard Lee, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2025
After continents rift, or break apart, hot, dense rock detaches from the base of tectonic plates in blobs, which generate waves beneath Earth’s crust.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2025
Situated along the 25,000-mile Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the confluence of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, the island is still one of the most seismically active places on the planet.
—Robin Catalano, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2025
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,
7 Sep. 2025
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The closest major airport is Toronto Pearson International, with direct flights from New York, Chicago, Boston, and beyond.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The aircraft represents a significant investment of about $200 million for a single plane.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
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However, there's a significant difference between containing and controlling a wildfire.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Ricky Martin to receive inaugural Latin Icon Award Martin, who made his VMAs debut in 1999, will receive the first-ever Latin Icon Award during the ceremony, in celebration of the singer's historic contributions to the genre.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
20 Aug. 2025
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Wood attended Monday’s hearing at the Auburn historic courthouse.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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And that became a very important part of the character.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Astronomers have discovered a brand-new type of planet outside our solar system that, even in its infancy, is already bigger than Jupiter.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
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Other big stories ➤ The economy is slowing, and Arizona no longer ranks among the states creating the most jobs.—
Powered By,
AZCentral.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tectonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tectonic. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.
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