synclinal

US: (sin klīn′l, sing-, sing′kli nl)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

syn•cli•nal  (sin klīn′l, sing-, sing′kli nl), adj. 

1. sloping downward from opposite directions so as to meet in a common point or line.
2. Geology
   • inclining upward on both sides from a median line or axis, as a downward fold of rock strata.
   • pertaining to such a fold.

• syn- + Greek klí̄n(ein) to lean¹ + -al¹ 1825–35

syn•cli′nal•ly, adv.