groundswell

noun

ground·​swell ˈgrau̇nd-ˌswel How to pronounce groundswell (audio)
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
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.
Instead, the industry has simply responded to the groundswell that had already formed around Lainey and her distinctive brand of country music. Stephen Deusner, SPIN, 26 Nov. 2024 Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story co-creator Ryan Murphy is commenting on the groundswell of support for the Menendez brothers in reaction to his blockbuster series. Tim Lammers, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 By the time surging newcomer Zach Top released his debut country album, Cold Beer & Country Music, in April, the 27-year-old singer-songwriter was already seeing a groundswell of support from fans and his fellow artists. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2024 The past few years have seen a groundswell of concern from researchers about how race, a social construct not based in biology, is misused in biomedicine. Byjocelyn Kaiser, science.org, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for groundswell 

Word History

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of groundswell was in 1786

Dictionary Entries Near groundswell

Cite this Entry

“Groundswell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/groundswell. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

ground swell

noun
: a broad deep ocean swell caused by a distant storm or earthquake
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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