groundswell

noun

ground·​swell ˈgrau̇nd-ˌswel How to pronounce groundswell (audio)
Synonyms of groundswellnext
1
usually ground swell : a broad deep undulation of the ocean caused by an often distant gale or seismic disturbance
2
: a rapid spontaneous growth (as of political opinion)
a groundswell of support

Examples of groundswell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Walid Regragui, Morocco’s coach at the time, likened the groundswell of support to how moviegoers reacted to Rocky Balboa. Dan Greene, New Yorker, 12 June 2026 Although national Democrats recruited and initially backed Mills, the only Democrat to win statewide in Maine in two decades, Platner's groundswell of support eclipsed her efforts. Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 9 June 2026 Yeah, that there’s just like this groundswell of local neighborhood involvement in the cool venues there, too. AFAR Media, 30 May 2026 For many fans, this has become a stick to beat them with, and there has been a groundswell of opinion that the season was not enjoyable because of it. Jon MacKenzie, New York Times, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for groundswell

Word History

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of groundswell was in 1786

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Groundswell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/groundswell. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

ground swell

noun
: a broad deep ocean swell caused by a distant storm or earthquake
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