groundswell

noun ground·swell \ ˈgrau̇nd-ˌswel \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of groundswell

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

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Recent Examples of groundswell from the Web

But a subsequent IndyStar story about Donovan's plight generated a groundswell of support for the retired businessman, including offers from several car shops to help restore Donovan's Mustang.

— tim evans, Indianapolis Star, "Ripped off WWII vet gets Mustang back -- fully restored -- thanks to car guys, strangers," 31 Mar. 2018
Then-county Prosecutor Bill Mason, who co-authored the charter with then-Parma Heights Mayor Martin Zanotti, said the corruption scandal helped create a public groundswell of support for change.

— evan macdonald, cleveland.com, "Former Cuyahoga County officials say safeguards can prevent corruption, if conflicts are disclosed," 29 Oct. 2017
There has been no similar groundswell for a line-item veto in this Congress, in part because the issue has become more partisan.

— david weigel, Washington Post, "Mnuchin pitches line-item veto: ‘Congress could pass a rule’," 25 Mar. 2018
There is, however, a groundswell of enthusiasm to bring Legion ball back to San Diego.

— john maffei, sandiegouniontribune.com, "American Legion baseball trying to make a comeback," 22 Mar. 2018
The students’ advocacy has been part of a political groundswell that has already brought some results.

— danny mcdonald, BostonGlobe.com, "‘You need to act,’ Parkland shooting survivors say at Harvard," 21 Mar. 2018
The groundswell of outrage and attention following these revelations has been greater than anything Facebook predicted—or has experienced in its long history of data privacy scandals.

— issie lapowsky, WIRED, "Mark Zuckerberg Speaks Out on Cambridge Analytica Scandal," 21 Mar. 2018
Still, something about the recent groundswell of awareness and support services around the national opioid epidemic has rankled Woolford, a student at the University of Maryland School of Social Work.

— colin campbell, baltimoresun.com, "Brown Memorial Presbyterian hosts naloxone tutorial in church," 18 Mar. 2018
There's also a groundswell of support from two Saints Pro Bowlers.

— larry holder, NOLA.com, "A Jimmy Graham-Saints reunion an idea worth visiting," 6 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'groundswell.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of groundswell

1786

GROUNDSWELL Defined for English Language Learners

groundswell

noun

Definition of groundswell for English Language Learners

: a fast increase in the amount of public support for something (such as a political cause or candidate)

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