ground swell
/'graundswel/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A broad and deep undulation of the ocean: A long, heavy swell or wave in the sea, often caused by a distant storm or seismic activity.
- An obvious change of public opinion or political sentiment that occurs without leadership or overt expression: A spontaneous, growing movement of popular feeling or opinion that becomes a powerful force.
Usage Examples
Noun (Oceanography):
- The boat rocked violently in the powerful ground swell.
- Surfers waited for the perfect ground swell generated by the hurricane far out at sea.
Noun (Sociopolitical):
- The candidate's victory was driven by a ground swell of support from young voters.
- There is a ground swell of opinion that the policy needs to be changed.
Advanced Usage
- "to ride a ground swell of [feeling]": To benefit from or be carried forward by a growing public movement.
- The new art movement rode a ground swell of dissatisfaction with traditional forms.
Variants and Related Words
- Groundswell (one word): A common alternative spelling, especially for the figurative meaning.
- The petition gained momentum as part of a larger groundswell for reform.
Synonyms
- Swell (n): A slow, rolling wave in the sea.
- Wave (n): A ridge of water moving across the sea's surface.
- Tide (n, figurative): A powerful trend or tendency, especially in public opinion.
- Upsurge (n): A rapid or sudden increase, especially in feeling or activity.
Idioms and Phrases
- A ground swell of protest/anger/support: Used to describe a widespread and growing public sentiment.
- The decision was met with a ground swell of protest from the community.
Noun
- a broad and deep undulation of the ocean
- an obvious change of public opinion or political sentiment that occurs without leadership or overt expression
- there was a ground swell of antiwar sentiment