Term: surge

surge (noun/verb):

As a noun: A sudden powerful forward or upward movement, especially by a crowd, a natural force (like water), or an electrical current.
As a verb: To move suddenly and powerfully forward or upward; to increase suddenly.

synonyms: (n) rush, flood, spike, outburst; (v) soar, swell, gush, escalate.

pronunciation: /sɜːrdʒ/

translation: straujš pieaugums, uzplūds, sprieguma lēciens

example: There was a sudden surge in the crowd as the gates opened and everyone tried to get the best seats.

other words from this root: surging (adjective).

Contextual Usage

Electrical: A “power surge” is a brief spike in voltage that can damage electronics. This is why people use “surge protectors.”
Weather/Nature: A “storm surge” is a rising of the sea as a result of atmospheric pressure changes and wind associated with a storm.
Medical: A “surge of adrenaline” describes a sudden feeling of energy or excitement in the body.
Economic: “There has been a surge in demand for electric vehicles over the last year.”

Surge vs. Spike

While both indicate an increase, they have slightly different shapes on a graph:

Spike: A very sharp, narrow increase that usually drops back down immediately.
Surge: A powerful, broader increase that may stay at a high level for a short period before receding.

Type of Increase	Visual Shape	Typical Example
Spike	Like a needle	A stock price jumping for 5 minutes.
Surge	Like a wave	A flood of people entering a stadium.

Common Phrases

Surge pricing: When a service (like Uber) increases its rates during times of high demand.
A surge of emotion: A sudden, strong feeling of joy, anger, or sadness.
Adrenaline surge: The physical “fight or flight” response.

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

surge (verb)

intransitive verb

to rise and fall actively - toss a ship surging in heavy seas

to rise and move in waves or billows - swell the sea was surging

to slip around a windlass, capstan, or bitts - used especially of a rope

to rise suddenly to an excessive or abnormal value - the stock market surged to a record high

transitive verb

to move with a surge or in - surges felt the blood surging into his face Harry Hervey she surged past the other runners to let go or slacken gradually (as a rope)

surge (noun)

a swelling, rolling, or sweeping forward like that of a wave or series of waves - a surge of interest

a) a large wave or billow - swell

b) (1) a series of such swells or billows

(2) the resulting elevation of water level

a) a movement (as a slipping or slackening) of a rope or cable

b) a sudden jerk or strain caused by such a movement

a transient sudden rise of current or voltage in an electrical circuit

Merriam-Webster Online Thesaurus

surge (noun)

a moving ridge on the surface of water

SYNONYMS:

billow, surge, swell

RELATED WORDS:

sea(s); surf; breaker, whitecap; comber, curl; riffle, ripple, wavelet; ground swell, roller; tidal wave, tsunami

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