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upswell

American  
[uhp-swel] / ʌpˈswɛl /

verb (used with or without object)

upswelled, upswelled, upswollen, upswelling
  1. to swell up.


upswell British  
/ ʌpˈswɛl /

verb

  1. rare to swell up or cause to swell up

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of upswell

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at up-, swell


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.

See Examples For:

“We’re seeing this massive move towards every country trying to create their own sovereign capability, which is causing this massive upswell in demand across the industry.”

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 30, 2025

The agreement with Polymarket comes as prediction markets are enjoying an upswell of mainstream interest.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2025

The algae bloom was the result of an upswell in the ocean that brought up enough nutrients to the surface to allow the algae to thrive, he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 21, 2025

For so many this is the defining memory of 2014: the intense and spontaneous upswell of sorrow, how astonishing it was to see and share it across Australia and worldwide.

From BBC ● Nov. 25, 2024

When he was about to leave her a sudden upswell of paternal sentiment made him ask her if she was happy and if she wanted anything.

From Marcella by Mrs. Humphry Ward

Sorely wrenched   Was his left ankle: round the joint upswelled   The veins high-ridged.

From The Fall of Troy by Arthur Sanders Way

This upswelling has survived in crevices online; in small, private bookstores; and in informal social circles that bring together like-minded people from different generations.

From New York Times ● Dec. 1, 2022

The upswelling of ethnic Turkish pride comes 60 years after the agreement between Turkey and what was then West Germany that opened the gates for millions of Gastarbeiter.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 28, 2021

Scientists have spotted much more of the brown seaweed than in recent years, which Saccomanno attributes to a recent upswelling of cool, nutrient-rich waters which help kelp thrive.

From Reuters ● Sep. 29, 2021

With a sudden upswelling of reverence, the renowned television network hit the “publish” button.

From Slate ● Jun. 6, 2019

He did not want her to float away into history, into the times, an upswelling of the masses.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen

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