tidal wave

noun

1
a
: an unusually high sea wave that is triggered especially by an earthquake
b
: an unusual rise of water alongshore due to strong winds
2
: something overwhelming especially in quantity or volume
a tidal wave of tourists

Examples of tidal wave in a Sentence

a tidal wave of emotion
Recent Examples on the Web The offscreen infamy of Louis C.K. — his coercive and abusive ritual of masturbating in front of women, many of whom were his comedian colleagues — was first revealed in the mainstream media nearly seven years ago, amid the tidal wave of reckoning that became #MeToo. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 13 July 2024 Whereas some years feel like tidal waves of change are taking over the island, this year isn’t one of them. Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2023 Launched with expectations of unleashing a tidal wave of liberation that would transform the Middle East, Operation Iraqi Freedom instead produced a mournful legacy of death and destruction that destabilized the region. Andrew J. Bacevich, Foreign Affairs, 28 Feb. 2023 Within an hour and a half, however, the gains had all but evaporated in a tidal wave of sell-offs. Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for tidal wave 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tidal wave.' 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

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of tidal wave was in 1830

Dictionary Entries Near tidal wave

Cite this Entry

“Tidal wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tidal%20wave. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

tidal wave

noun
1
: an unusually high sea wave that is triggered especially by an earthquake
2
: an unusual rise of water alongshore due to strong winds
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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