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.
In a piece for The Economist, Elmhirst meets Gary, a call center worker for Vision Direct in Manchester, England, whose job is under threat from the looming tidal wave of AI. Carolyn Wells, Longreads, 13 Dec. 2024 Awash in these government acronyms are many private entities that have already filed and a veritable tidal wave of entities that are prepared or preparing to file by that deadline. Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024 In 2016 and then again in 2024, Trump galvanized millions of blue-collar voters living in communities that have never recovered from the tidal wave of factory closings and loss of good jobs. Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 12 Nov. 2024 Smart shoppers should expect a tidal wave of packages over the next few days. PCMAG, 1 Dec. 2024 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

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 24 Dec. 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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