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
The conservatorship was dissolved by a Los Angeles court in 2021, after a groundswell of public support to "Free Britney."
From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026
And yet, the groundswell of outrage that I expected from my community hasn’t materialized.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 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
The Exposition Company’s decision raised a groundswell of greed throughout Chicago’s South Side.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
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.
