Seismic

adjective

/ˈsaɪz.mɪk/

Relating to or caused by earthquakes or other vibrations of the Earth's crust, or more broadly, having a significant or far-reaching effect.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

The simultaneous repeal of three contentious farm laws marked a seismic recalibration of the government's relationship with India's agrarian electorate, reshaping the contours of Centre-State political bargaining for the rest of the term.

Synonyms

earthquake-relatedtectonicground-shakingearth-shakingmomentousfar-reaching

Antonyms

trivialnegligibleinconsequentialinsignificant

🌱 Word Family

seismology (n), seismologist (n), seismograph (n), seismometer (n), seismicity (n)

🔡 Root

Ancient Greek seismós (σεισμός) = shaking, earthquake; from seíein = to shake; -ic = adjectival suffix

📜 Etymology

From Ancient Greek seismós (σεισμός, "shaking, earthquake"), from seíein ("to shake") + the suffix -ic; first used in English in the 1850s.

🧠 Memory Hook

A SEISMOgraph records earthquakes — so anything SEISMIC literally or figuratively makes the ground shake. Picture a "seismic" headline so big it rattles the room.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Prelims 2024 — Disaster Management
Prelims 2016 — Disaster Management
Prelims 2015 — Disaster Management

Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Seismic” — proof this word earns its place on your list.

⚠️ Disaster Management 📖 Seen in: Earthquakes, Landslides & Urban Disast...

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