adjective
synclinal
sin-KLY-nul
Synclinal (adjective) means In geology, describing rock layers that slope downward from both sides towards a shared line. Example: “The valley follows a synclinal fold in the underlying rock.”
adjective
1
technical In geology, describing rock layers that slope downward from both sides towards a shared line.
"The valley follows a synclinal fold in the underlying rock."
"Geologists mapped the synclinal structure to locate the deepest part of the basin."
noun
1
technical In geology, a fold in rock where the layers dip down towards a common line.
"The ridge and the syncline beside it were formed by the same folding event."
"Drillers targeted the centre of the synclinal for the thickest sediment layer."
How to use synclinal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSynclinal describes rock layers that bend downward and meet, like a trough, rather than bending upward.
When to use it
This is a specialist geology term rarely used outside scientific writing.
Memory tip
Remember syn- means together: synclinal layers slope together downward into a trough.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
anticlinal
Common pairings
synclinal fold
synclinal structure
synclinal basin
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The valley follows a _____ fold in the underlying rock.
Etymology
Synclinal is built from the prefix syn-, meaning together, joined to -clinal, a suffix relating to sloping or leaning.
Antonyms
anticlinal
Rhymes for synclinal
See all rhymes for synclinal →Frequently asked questions
What does synclinal mean in geology?
It describes rock layers that dip down from opposite sides to meet along a shared line, forming a trough-like fold.
What is the opposite of synclinal?
The opposite is anticlinal, where rock layers slope upward and away from a shared line instead of down towards it.
Is synclinal the same as a syncline?
A syncline is the fold itself, and synclinal is the related adjective or noun describing that kind of downward-dipping structure.
What is the meaning of synclinal?
"synclinal" (adjective) means in geology, describing rock layers that slope downward from both sides towards a shared line.
