Definition

1. 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

1. a broad and deep undulation of the ocean
2. an obvious change of public opinion or political sentiment that occurs without leadership or overt expression
   • there was a ground swell of antiwar sentiment