groundswell

noun

ground·​swell ˈgrau̇nd-ˌswel 

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

Fortunately, a groundswell of opposition among Republican senators has emerged, such as Josh Hawley (Mo.), Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.), Ron Johnson (Wisc.), and Rick Scott (Fla.), who publicly oppose the moratorium. —Dan Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025

Photograph: David McNew/Getty Images A major groundswell of nationwide protests against the second Trump administration has arrived. —Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 12 June 2025

But a groundswell of protest art was answering the call with a new kind of ardent feeling that damned the false piety and hypocrisy of homophobic Christian doctrine. —Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025

This groundswell has not gone unnoticed by the commercial world. —Priya Oberoi, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for groundswell

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel

Kids Definition

ground swell

noun

: a broad deep ocean swell caused by a distant storm or earthquake