groundswell

noun

ground·​swell ˈgrau̇nd-ˌswel How to pronounce groundswell (audio)
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 But Taylor and others have said the groundswell of international and civil-society support that was needed to end apartheid has not materialized in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Rob Wile, NBC News, 25 Apr. 2024 The report comes amid a groundswell of worker rage and instability. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2024 As their power, riches and reach grew, a groundswell of regulatory activity, lawmaking and legal cases sprang up against them in Europe, the United States, China, India, Canada, South Korea and Australia. David McCabe, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2024 Now, a groundswell of pending projects—for mining, base construction and communication satellites—are on the horizon. Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024 Not to overstate the groundswell: That means six respondents named her; five chose him. Susan Page, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2024 There is no groundswell from privileged people with enormous social capital to get behind Black women. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 15 Mar. 2024 Gillespie’s measure is part of a groundswell of legislative and voter pushback against reforms initiated over the past four years after the police killings of Black Americans including Nichols, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. Tom Jackman, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024 And Utahns are buying up low-water grass seed and ripping out their lawns in a groundswell of involvement. Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'groundswell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of groundswell was in 1786

Dictionary Entries Near groundswell

Cite this Entry

“Groundswell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/groundswell. Accessed 2 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

ground swell

noun
: a broad deep ocean swell caused by a distant storm or earthquake
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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