upswell

American

[uhp-swel] / ʌpˈswɛl /

verb (used with or without object)

upswelled, upswelled, upswollen, upswelling

to swell up.

upswell British

/ ʌpˈswɛl /

verb

rare to swell up or cause to swell up

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of upswell

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at up-, swell

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“We’re seeing this massive move towards every country trying to create their own sovereign capability, which is causing this massive upswell in demand across the industry.”

From MarketWatch • Dec. 30, 2025

The agreement with Polymarket comes as prediction markets are enjoying an upswell of mainstream interest.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 7, 2025

The algae bloom was the result of an upswell in the ocean that brought up enough nutrients to the surface to allow the algae to thrive, he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2025

The union drives at Amazon come amid an upswell of labour activism in the US.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2022

When he was about to leave her a sudden upswell of paternal sentiment made him ask her if she was happy and if she wanted anything.

From Marcella by Ward, Humphry, Mrs.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023