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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The cases amount to a tidal wave of litigation that could ultimately cost San Diego County $100 million or more. Jeff McDonald, Mercury News, 12 May 2025 Before the current pause, the federal court ruling upholding the Congressional ban of TikTok in the U.S. prompted a tidal wave of anxious memes and videos by creators and users fearing the end was near. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 6 May 2025 Recent months have seen a tidal wave of deals in the tens of billions of dollars — from OpenAI's latest investment round and Stargate project to Elon Musk's most recent xAI fundraise — based on forecasts of beyond-the-horizon growth in demand for AI services. Scott Rosenberg, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025 As the demographic tidal wave strikes in the near future, managers who used to anchor operations will shoulder even more of the workload. Dan Pontefract, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tidal wave

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tidal wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tidal%20wave. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

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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