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Verb for a strong wave?

English Language & Usage Asked on April 12, 2021

I’m looking for a verb that describe a coming wave. The wave may not be enormous as a tsunami, but it is strong enough to destroy or at least pushing away any obstacles on its way. The obstacles should be as heavy as a big human.

Obviously I’m not expecting the word come.

My sentence: the wave of globalization is coming. It will ______ everything in its way. We need to prepare for that.

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10 Answers

engulf - (of a natural force) sweep over (something) so as to surround or cover it completely.

Correct answer by KillingTime on April 12, 2021

Inundate has the twin meanings of to flood and to overwhelm, and I think is quite appropriate for this context.

See http://i.word.com/idictionary/inundate for a sample reference.

Answered by James McLeod on April 12, 2021

swallow

: take in and cause to disappear; engulf. OED

sweep away

: to dispose of someone or something by pushing or brushing away. McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

The wave of globalization is coming. It will sweep away everything on its path. We need to prepare for that

Answered by Elian on April 12, 2021

You've described a "storm surge" and your picture shows a "tidal wave"

In this context, devastate fits both the destruction caused by a surge and the effects of globalization on fragile economies.

It will devastate everything in the way.

devastate - (verb) - to destroy much or most of (something) : to cause great damage or harm to (something)

storm surge - A storm surge is a rise in sea level that occurs during tropical cyclones, intense storms also known as typhoons or hurricanes. The storms produce strong winds that push the water into shore, which can lead to flooding. This makes storm surges very dangerous for coastal regions.

Answered by Centaurus on April 12, 2021

It will devour everything in its way.

Answered by Ethan Leyden on April 12, 2021

I like engulf as well, if the nuance you are looking for is the ubiquity, or you could go with "inundate" or even overwhelm. "Deluge" is another option if you're thinking more on the destructive side of things. The challenge is that deluge is more commonly used in the passive voice, which isn't necessarily ideal in writing.

The wave of globalization is coming. It will inundate everything in its way. We need to prepare for that.

The wave of globalization is coming, and everything will be deluged in its way. We need to prepare for that.

Answered by Dan Catlin on April 12, 2021

Crash would nicely echo the more usual, intransitive use of crash with wave.

Sweep away or sweep off in case crash sounds too violent for the destruction you're trying to express.

Wipe out would be the next gentler degree of destruction. (Think surfer talk - getting wiped out by a wave sets you back, but it doesn't annihilate you; you can still get back up.)

Answered by hemflit on April 12, 2021

The sentence may as well be restructured as given below (if you think it's a good fit):

It will raze everything in its wake.

Answered by Zee on April 12, 2021

Theres this one Ascendo tuum ,it originates from latin, literally means to ascend and fall

Answered by yoe on April 12, 2021

How about 'submerge' ?

'Submerge' would be in keeping with the metaphor (wave).

submerge: to cause (someone or something) to be completely under water or the surface of a liquid.

Answered by Patrick D on April 12, 2021

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