surge

1 of 2

verb

ˈsərj 

surged; surging

intransitive verb

1

: to rise and fall actively : toss

a ship surging in heavy seas

2

: to rise and move in waves or billows : swell

the sea was surging

3

: to slip around a windlass, capstan, or bitts

—used especially of a rope

4

: to rise suddenly to an excessive or abnormal value

the stock market surged to a record high

5

: to move with a surge or in surges

felt the blood surging into his face

—Harry Hervey

she surged past the other runners

transitive verb

: to let go or slacken gradually

surge a rope

surge

2 of 2

noun

1

: a swelling, rolling, or sweeping forward like that of a wave or series of waves

a surge of interest

2

a

: a large wave or billow : swell

b(1)

: a series of such swells or billows

(2)

: the resulting elevation of water level

3

a

: a movement (such as a slipping or slackening) of a rope or cable

b

: a sudden jerk or strain caused by such a movement

4

: a transient sudden rise of current or voltage in an electrical circuit

Synonyms

Noun

• billow
• swell
• wave

Examples of surge in a Sentence

Verb

We all surged toward the door.

She surged past the other runners.

Thoughts of what could happen were surging through his mind.

Housing prices have surged in recent months.

Interest in the sport has been surging.

Noun

The sport is enjoying a surge in popularity.

a surge of support for the candidate

There was a sudden surge toward the door.

There has been a surge of immigrants into the city.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Oil prices, inflation and the Fed If the Israel-Iran conflict causes oil prices to continue surging, inflation will jump and consumers will pay the price. —Medora Lee, USA Today, 17 June 2025

The second-place Tampa Bay Rays — winners of four straight — continue to surge. —Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 17 June 2025

Noun

His predominantly younger, male audience parallels a surge in votes seen for Trump in the 2024 election: 56 percent of young men voted for Trump in the 2024 election, per the Associated Press. —Kate Nalepinski, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025

The second hurricane of the Pacific season is expected to arrive along the coast east of Acapulco with destructive winds, life-threatening storm surge, and flash flooding. —Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 19 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

earlier, to ride (at anchor) probably in part from Middle French sourgir to cast anchor, land, from Catalan surgir to heave, cast anchor, from Latin surgere to rise, spring up; from sub- up + regere to lead straight; in part from Latin surgere — more at sub-, right

First Known Use

Verb

1511, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing surge

• surge protector

Rhymes for surge

• dirge
• merge
• purge
• scourge
• serge
• splurge
• spurge
• sturge
• urge
• verge
• converge
• diverge

Kids Definition

surge

1 of 2 verb

ˈsərj 

surged; surging

1

: to rise and fall actively

2

: to move in or as if in waves

surge

2 of 2 noun

1

: a swelling, rolling, or sweeping forward like that of a wave : an onward rush

a surge of support for the candidate

2

: a large wave or billow : swell