groundswell

[ground-swel]

noun

1. a broad, deep swell or rolling of the sea, due to a distant storm or gale.

2. any surge of support, approval, or enthusiasm, especially among the general public.

   a groundswell of political support for the governor.

groundswell

/ ˈɡraʊndˌswɛl /

noun

1. a considerable swell of the sea, often caused by a distant storm or earthquake or by the passage of waves into shallow water

2. a strong public feeling or opinion that is detectable even though not openly expressed

   a groundswell of discontent

Word History and Origins

Origin of groundswell¹

First recorded in 1810–20; ground ¹ + swell

Example Sentences

But in recent months, a groundswell of momentum has been building at USC.

From Los Angeles Times

There's a groundswell of anger against Hasina's Awami League-led government, which is accused of unlawful killings, enforced disappearances, and brutal suppression of dissent.

From BBC

Amid the groundswell of people calling to request visits or check on his well-being, local organizers are also planning actions on Soliman’s behalf for the week of Aug. 10.

From Salon

Together with co-editor Martha Bayne, these two writers corralled the groundswell of grief, tribute, loss and love into a call for proposals, and the result is a new anthology, “Nothing Compares to You: What Sinéad O’Connor Means to Us.”

From Salon

To make the point once again, there is nothing special about this place or about last week’s protest, except that if it happened here it is happening everywhere, and represents a genuine groundswell that cannot be contained, or even addressed, by the platitudes of conventional politics.

From Salon