déferler

to surge

verb deh-fer-LEH Rare

Also means

to break (of waves)

Usage Note

Déferler literally describes waves breaking and spreading over a shore, but is very commonly used figuratively for anything that surges or floods in — une vague de touristes déferle sur la ville ('a wave of tourists floods the city'). The noun déferlement (m) captures the same sense of an unstoppable surge.

Examples

"Les vagues déferlent sur la plage en tempête."

Natural Translation

The waves surge onto the beach in a storm.

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