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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
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Members who feel like Vela are still the exception, and there has yet to be a real anti-Pelosi groundswell in the Democratic Party.
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There’s a big groundswell of support for progressive causes after the election.
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But there’s been no indication of a groundswell of support for Stewart, despite the marshalling of pro-Trump media outlets and the populist GOP grassroots.
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A year later, when the boys' families asked the Jewish world to re-experience and strengthen the previous summer's groundswell of Jewish unity in the boys' memory, Jewish Unity Day was observed and started as an annual event.
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There was a groundswell of support to go after the world championship again.
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Scott has loyally supported the school choice movement, but had avoided taking a position on HB 7069, as the issue incited a groundswell of criticism and opposition from parents and teacher groups.
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After failing to pass a bill creating a system for patients to buy medical cannabis, a groundswell of support among lawmakers and activists alike called for a special session.
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Is there groundswell of wanting to elect an outsider to come in and shake things up?
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
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noun
Definition of groundswell for English Language Learners
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: a fast increase in the amount of public support for something (such as a political cause or candidate)
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