surged; surging
1
: to rise and fall actively : toss
a ship surging in heavy seas
2
: to rise and move in waves or billows : swell
the sea was surging
3
: to slip around a windlass, capstan, or bitts
—used especially of a rope
4
: to rise suddenly to an excessive or abnormal value
the stock market surged to a record high
5
: to move with a surge or in surges
felt the blood surging into his face—
Harry Hervey
Harry Herveyshe surged past the other runners
: to let go or slacken gradually
surge a rope
1
: a swelling, rolling, or sweeping forward like that of a wave or series of waves
a surge of interest
2
a
: a large wave or billow : swell
b(1)
: a series of such swells or billows
(2)
: the resulting elevation of water level
3
a
: a movement (such as a slipping or slackening) of a rope or cable
b
: a sudden jerk or strain caused by such a movement
4
: a transient sudden rise of current or voltage in an electrical circuit
Examples of surge in a Sentence
Verb
We all surged toward the door.
She surged past the other runners.
Thoughts of what could happen were surging through his mind.
Housing prices have surged in recent months.
Interest in the sport has been surging.
Noun
The sport is enjoying a surge in popularity.
a surge of support for the candidate
There was a sudden surge toward the door.
There has been a surge of immigrants into the city.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jhasua Razo, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
China surged later and now leads global commercial shipbuilding by a wide margin.
—Big Think, 28 Oct. 2025
Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Peak storm surge heights could reach 8 to 12 feet above normal tide levels, near and to the east of where the center of Melissa makes landfall.
—Miami Herald Hurricane Bot, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surge
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Verb
The November 10 deadline for a trade truce is looming, lest tariffs surge again.
—Jhasua Razo, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
China surged later and now leads global commercial shipbuilding by a wide margin.
—Big Think, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
The exorcism subgenre has experienced a surge in popularity since The Exorcist's initial release, with filmmakers worldwide crafting haunting stories of possession that continue to push the boundaries even further.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Peak storm surge heights could reach 8 to 12 feet above normal tide levels, near and to the east of where the center of Melissa makes landfall.
—Miami Herald Hurricane Bot, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surge
Cite this Entry
“Surge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surge. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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