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.
“What we’re seeing is this groundswell of pushing the envelope of what can be done,” Chow continued.
From Barron's • May 5, 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
They start small and transform into a groundswell.
From Salon • Feb. 1, 2026
Speaking to Variety, he said the groundswell of support “was really nice.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2026
White Southerners could ignore the groundswell of discontent, but, especially following World War II, blacks were simply not going to tolerate a life separate from and unequal to the American mainstream.
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
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.
