groundswell
Americannoun
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a broad, deep swell or rolling of the sea, due to a distant storm or gale.
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any surge of support, approval, or enthusiasm, especially among the general public.
a groundswell of political support for the governor.
noun
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a considerable swell of the sea, often caused by a distant storm or earthquake or by the passage of waves into shallow water
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a strong public feeling or opinion that is detectable even though not openly expressed
a groundswell of discontent
Etymology
Origin of groundswell
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
We felt a groundswell in New England, so we did it, D.C. and the Steelers’ stadium in Pittsburgh in 2005.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026
Some are speaking up, but I don't yet detect a groundswell of pressure.
From BBC ● Apr. 17, 2026
After Bangladesh and Nepal, there has been a groundswell of Gen Z protests globally, felling governments in Madagascar and Bulgaria and unnerving rulers from Morocco to Iran.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 4, 2026
Mamdani won a groundswell of support by promising bold and reasonable policies based on what the people told him.
From Salon ● Feb. 23, 2026
A minor groundswell sounded behind the shower curtain, as though a rather delinquent porpoise were suddenly at play.
From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
