A sudden, powerful forward rush of water, electricity, emotion, or crowds; a rapid sharp increase in quantity; or the act of moving forward with sudden force — all senses sharing the image of something rising and pressing forward in a single powerful wave.
A sudden and significant rise in a measurable quantity such as demand, prices, cases, or support.
Examples
The hospital saw a surge in patients during the flu season.
The protest movement surged in popularity after the incident.
A surge in oil prices rattled global markets.
There was a surge of interest in renewable energy.
Ticket sales surged after the announcement.
Similar words
spike
increase
rise
escalation
boost
upswing
jump
To move or rise suddenly with force
verb
everyday
neutral
To move forward or upward suddenly and powerfully, or to increase sharply and rapidly.
Examples
The crowd surged forward when the gates opened.
Her confidence surged as the audience applauded.
The river surged over its banks after heavy rains.
Shares surged 8% on the news of the merger.
He felt energy surge through him as he crossed the finish line.
Similar words
rush
sweep
rise
swell
shoot up
rocket
billow
Etymology
From Middle French sourgir ('to rise'), from Old Spanish surgir ('to anchor, make fast'), from Latin surgere ('to rise'), a contraction of subrigere from sub- ('from below') and regere ('to direct, raise'). First used in English in the late 15th century in nautical contexts to describe the rising and falling motion of a ship on waves. The figurative senses expanded by the 17th century.
FAQ
What does surge mean?
Surge means a sudden, powerful forward or upward movement (a surge of waves), a sharp increase in a quantity (a surge in prices), or the act of moving or rising suddenly with force (the crowd surged forward).
What is the difference between surge and increase?
An increase can be gradual and modest. A surge implies a sudden, sharp, and notable rise that stands out against the baseline — a surge is a dramatic kind of increase.
How do you use surge in a sentence?
As a noun: 'There was a surge in ticket demand.' As a verb: 'The crowd surged toward the stage.' Both uses share the image of something rising suddenly with force.
What is the origin of the word surge?
Surge comes from Latin surgere ('to rise'), via French and Spanish. Its first English use was nautical, describing the rise and fall of a ship on waves, recorded from the late 15th century.
What is the difference between surge and spike?
Both describe sudden sharp increases. Spike often implies a rise followed by an equally sharp drop (a price spike). Surge can describe a rise that sustains or builds further, and often implies more force or momentum.
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