groundswell

noun

ground·swell | \ˈgrau̇nd-ˌswel

\

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

Examples of groundswell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The move to overturn the refuge policy, hailed by hunting groups, drew a groundswell of public opposition. — Zaz Hollander, Anchorage Daily News, "Federal judge rejects predator-control lawsuit against Interior Department," 8 June 2018 There was a groundswell (among) our partners to grow in the Northeast, principally where Chadbourne & Parke was located. — Patrick Danner, San Antonio Express-News, "Managing partner oversees 1,000 lawyers from San Antonio office," 25 June 2018 The movement has seen a groundswell of support for measures like repealing the tampon tax and making sure menstrual products are affordable and available to school kids, inmates, and homeless period-havers alike. — Cady Drell, Marie Claire, "The New IHOP Logo Looks Like a Tampon Ad and People Are Into It," 11 June 2018 But that piece of the NRA bundle has shrunk in recent days, as a slew of major companies have responded to a groundswell of anti-gun activism by canceling their discounts and other affinity deals with the gun lobby. — Marc Fisher, Washington Post, "Why the NRA doesn’t much care if businesses spurn them," 2 Mar. 2018 But that piece of the NRA bundle has shrunk in recent days, as a slew of major companies have responded to a groundswell of anti-gun activism by canceling their discounts and other affinity deals with the gun lobby. — Marc Fisher, chicagotribune.com, "Businesses spurn the NRA, but gun group doesn't much care," 2 Mar. 2018 Now, Huffington Post founder Arianna Huffington has joined the groundswell. — Lauren Le Vine, Redbook, "Do You Need to Disconnect?," 27 Mar. 2013 Populist Groundswell The initiative has been embraced by French President Emmanuel Macron as European political systems struggle to deal with a groundswell of anti-establishment politics. — Patrick Donahue, Bloomberg.com, "Merkel Makes Big Sell for Euro as ‘Best Guarantee’ for Peace," 30 May 2018 The groundswell of fan support has been key in the recent pickup of other shows like The Expanse (which heads to Amazon next season) and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Warner Brothers TV began to shop it around to streaming services. — Andrew Liptak, The Verge, "Netflix has renewed Lucifer for a fourth season," 16 June 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.

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Last Updated

30 Sep 2018

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The first known use of groundswell was in 1786

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More Definitions for groundswell

groundswell

noun

English Language Learners Definition of groundswell

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

See the full definition for groundswell in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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