surge 1 of 2

noun

Definition of surgenext
as in wave
a moving ridge on the surface of water a huge surge nearly capsized the boat and drenched the hapless fishermen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

surge

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to spurt

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
2
as in to increase

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of surge
Noun
So, without a major blue surge unlike any seen in recent years, Democrats have to peel off independents, Republicans and rural voters to have a chance statewide. — Eleanor Dearman updated August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026 Turning to Europe, several economists warned about the risk factors surrounding the AI surge at the European Central Bank’s Forum on Central Banking in Portugal this week. — CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
The strongest hurricanes can generate storm surge greater than 18 feet. — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 8 Aug. 2026 At that tipping point, the only solution is for oil prices to surge, destroying enough demand for oil that the market can return to equilibrium. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for surge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surge
  1. wave
  2. spurt
  3. increase
  4. swell
  5. stream
  6. rise
  7. gush
  8. jump
Noun
  • Southern California is in the middle of a Super El Niño heat and humidity wave.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
  • That scoreboard is now misleading, because the same AI wave letting those companies shed jobs is handing thousands of capable people the time and the reason to build something of their own.
    — Lisa Curtis, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of wave
Verb
  • However, Ormund is sickened by the blood spurting in his eyes, and Roddy turns the tables, using his remaining hand to stick a knife well into Ormund's backside.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Once opened, check for foul odors, cloudiness, or spurting liquid when opening.
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 13 July 2026
Definition of spurt
Verb
  • There are also increasing concerns that the Russia-Ukraine war could escalate, amid reports that CIA chief John Ratcliffe have made a secretive Moscow trip to warn Russia against attacking NATO.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Friday starts dry in the Twin Cities with clouds and temperatures increasing through the afternoon.
    — Joseph Dames, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of increase
Noun
  • But Yates' story didn't elicit the same swell of empathy as Lindsay Clancy's has today.
    — Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Like a massive ocean swell, which can bear all kinds of flotsam and jetsam ashore, a political wave that is big enough, broad enough and strong enough can carry all manner of unlikely candidates to victory.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of swell
Verb
  • The two-hour show, which streamed live on the Queen Beauty Network, included the swimsuit and evening-gown presentations and a question-and-answer session.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The next few weeks will also bring fresh seasons of Hulu’s Chad Powers, Peacock’s The Paper, and Apple TV’s Slow Horses — all of which are returning within a year (or less) of when their last episodes streamed.
    — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of stream
Verb
  • Analysts note that following SpaceX's record-breaking IPO last month, investor interest in commercial spaceflight and the broader space sector has risen steadily.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Alphabet’s stock is down more than 15% from its May peak, wiping out roughly $700 billion in value, as concerns rise over its mounting AI bills and failure to produce a decisive technological breakthrough.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of rise
Verb
  • His daughter Corrine, who also participated in the interview and appears alongside him in the game show Beat Shazam, gushed about working with her father.
    — Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 21 Aug. 2026
  • And as Salfino wrote in his Zero RB column, Mitchell was a lightning-quick signing by the Chargers the moment free agency opened, with John Harbaugh gushing about how dangerous RBs with Mitchell’s speed can be.
    — Jess Bryant, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of gush
Verb
  • The Sox jumped back ahead in the third inning on a Benintendi RBI single.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The burst and ability to create separation jumped out, as did his calm and composed finish, all at seemingly peak speed.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of jump

Browse Nearby Words

surfs
surge
surged
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Surge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surge. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on surge

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about surge

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All