Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
📈 A sudden increase 🌊 A rising movement ⬆️ To rise suddenly
to upswell

to upswell

7.2
To rise suddenly in amount or feeling
  • verb
  • /ˈʌpˌswɛl/
translation icon : aumentar
  • As the tide came in, the waves began to upswell dramatically along the shore.

Examples

  • The crowd began to upswell with excitement as the concert started.

  • How well they harmonize with the upswelling rocks beneath them!

    Academic text (1998)

  • After the announcement, there was an upswell of support for the new policy.

Synonyms

to rise
vsto upswell
904 1.0

To become greater in amount or strength

is sudden and often implies outward swelling rather than a general increase
to jump
vsto upswell
144 2.1

To rise suddenly by a large amount

typically also means outward swelling rather than only a sudden rise
to soar
vsto upswell
96 3.4

To rise quickly to a very high level, for example prices or temperatures

often also describes outward swelling rather than only high increases
to zoom
vsto upswell
54 3.7

To rise very quickly in amount or value

also covers outward swelling as well as rapid increases
to skyrocket
vsto upswell
52 4.1

To rise very quickly to a high level

tends to apply to amounts and values rather than physical swelling
to spike
vsto upswell
51 3.4

To rise suddenly and sharply

emphasises outward swelling rather than just a sharp rise
to surge
vsto upswell
41 3.7

To rise suddenly and strongly in amount or number

includes outward swelling rather than only forceful increase
to shoot up
vsto upswell
25 4.1

Rise quickly to a much higher level

also includes physical swelling rather than only rapid value increases
to bump up
vsto upswell
23 3.4

To raise prices or amounts by a lot

typically implies a sharp sudden swelling rather than just a small raise
to flare up
vsto upswell
23 4.7

To become suddenly stronger or worse, often for a short time

focuses on sudden intensity increases rather than outward swelling
to well up
vsto upswell
23 5.2

To have strong feelings rise and make you want to cry

usually denotes outward or physical swelling rather than inner feelings showing
to bubble up
vsto upswell
19 3.7

To move up in bubbles or appear suddenly

often indicates outward swelling rather than gradual emergence
to jack up
vsto upswell
  • Informal
12 5.9

To raise prices or rent suddenly by a lot

also includes outward swelling and other sudden increases not just prices
to blow up
vsto upswell
7 2.7

To swell or become larger suddenly

focuses more on outward swelling and bulging rather than only amount increase
to hike up
vsto upswell
3 4.8

Raise prices or fees suddenly by a large amount

also applies to physical swelling rather than only price rises
to rocket up
vsto upswell
2 4.4

Increase very quickly to a much higher level

also describes swelling outward rather than only numeric rise
to flame up
vsto upswell
1 4.6

To suddenly start burning strongly or become much more intense

focuses on sudden flame or intensity rather than increase in amount or swelling
to soar up
vsto upswell
1 3.8

Rise very quickly to a much higher level

also applies to physical bulging rather than only steep rises
to uprush
vsto upswell
7.9

To move up quickly, often with strong feeling or liquid

also covers outward swelling rather than only sudden upward movement
to soar upwards
vsto upswell
3.4

Rise quickly to a much higher level, for example prices or temperatures

also covers outward swelling as well as quick upward movement
to uprise
vsto upswell
7.5

Move upward, as mist or smoke does

is less about sudden powerful increases and more general upward motion

Antonyms

decrease
84 2.2

A drop in amount or number

to subside
47 4.8

Become less strong, as with pain, noise, or excitement

How Much

to soar
96 3.4
to upswell
7.2
to surge
57 4.1
to rise
718 1.0
to increase
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

upswell infinitive
upswelled past
upswelled past participle
upswelling present participle
upswells third person singular

Morphology

upswell = swell (transparent) = up + swell

The verb is formed by prefixing 'up-' to the verb 'swell', yielding a clear sense of rising or increasing.

Etymology

Upswell comes from up and swell, with swell meaning 'get bigger', as in 'to swell with pride'. So to upswell is to rise or surge quickly in amount, feeling, or size.