A global increase in tropical cyclone (TC) ocean surface waves has been observed over the past 44 years (1979–2022) based on ERA5 wave reanalysis. The maximum height and area of TC wave footprints have increased by about 3% and 6% per decade, respectively. The energy transferred from the atmosphere to the ocean by TCs has increased by about 9% per decade, three times larger than that of all waves. These changes are mainly driven by the expansion of the TC wave footprint area. The study shows that TC-associated wave hazards have increased significantly, surpassing changes in TC maximum wind speed. TC waves are important contributors to extreme sea levels and pose significant threats to infrastructure, navigation, and coastal communities. The study highlights the importance of understanding TC wave trends, as they are more sensitive to changes in wave height and area than TC intensity. The results indicate that TC wave energy has increased significantly in most ocean basins, with the largest increases in the North Atlantic, eastern Pacific, and North Indian Ocean. The study also shows that the area of TC wave footprints has increased by about 5.7% per decade globally. The findings suggest that TC wave hazards should be a major concern in the future. The study used ERA5 wave reanalysis and TC observations to analyze the long-term changes in TC wave footprints. The results show that the maximum height of TC waves has increased by 3.2% per decade globally, with larger increases in the Southern Hemisphere. The study also found that the area of TC wave footprints has increased by 5.7% per decade globally. The energy transferred from the atmosphere to the ocean by TCs has increased by 8.9% per decade globally. The study concludes that TC wave hazards are a significant concern and that future research should focus on understanding the drivers of these changes. The study also highlights the importance of using high-resolution wave reanalysis data to accurately capture TC wave trends. The results suggest that TC wave hazards are likely to increase in the future, and that the impact of TCs on ocean waves should be considered in climate change assessments. The study provides a comprehensive analysis of TC wave trends and highlights the need for further research to understand the drivers of these changes. The study also emphasizes the importance of using multiple data sources and methods to validate TC wave trends. The results show that TC wave footprints have increased significantly in most ocean basins, with the largest increases in the North Atlantic, eastern Pacific, and North Indian Ocean. The study also found that the area of TC wave footprints has increased by about 5.7% per decade globally. The energy transferred from the atmosphere to the ocean by TCs has increased by 8.9% per decade globally. The study concludes that TC wave hazards are a significant concern and that future research should focus on understanding the drivers of these changes. The study also highlights the importanceA global increase in tropical cyclone (TC) ocean surface waves has been observed over the past 44 years (1979–2022) based on ERA5 wave reanalysis. The maximum height and area of TC wave footprints have increased by about 3% and 6% per decade, respectively. The energy transferred from the atmosphere to the ocean by TCs has increased by about 9% per decade, three times larger than that of all waves. These changes are mainly driven by the expansion of the TC wave footprint area. The study shows that TC-associated wave hazards have increased significantly, surpassing changes in TC maximum wind speed. TC waves are important contributors to extreme sea levels and pose significant threats to infrastructure, navigation, and coastal communities. The study highlights the importance of understanding TC wave trends, as they are more sensitive to changes in wave height and area than TC intensity. The results indicate that TC wave energy has increased significantly in most ocean basins, with the largest increases in the North Atlantic, eastern Pacific, and North Indian Ocean. The study also shows that the area of TC wave footprints has increased by about 5.7% per decade globally. The findings suggest that TC wave hazards should be a major concern in the future. The study used ERA5 wave reanalysis and TC observations to analyze the long-term changes in TC wave footprints. The results show that the maximum height of TC waves has increased by 3.2% per decade globally, with larger increases in the Southern Hemisphere. The study also found that the area of TC wave footprints has increased by 5.7% per decade globally. The energy transferred from the atmosphere to the ocean by TCs has increased by 8.9% per decade globally. The study concludes that TC wave hazards are a significant concern and that future research should focus on understanding the drivers of these changes. The study also highlights the importance of using high-resolution wave reanalysis data to accurately capture TC wave trends. The results suggest that TC wave hazards are likely to increase in the future, and that the impact of TCs on ocean waves should be considered in climate change assessments. The study provides a comprehensive analysis of TC wave trends and highlights the need for further research to understand the drivers of these changes. The study also emphasizes the importance of using multiple data sources and methods to validate TC wave trends. The results show that TC wave footprints have increased significantly in most ocean basins, with the largest increases in the North Atlantic, eastern Pacific, and North Indian Ocean. The study also found that the area of TC wave footprints has increased by about 5.7% per decade globally. The energy transferred from the atmosphere to the ocean by TCs has increased by 8.9% per decade globally. The study concludes that TC wave hazards are a significant concern and that future research should focus on understanding the drivers of these changes. The study also highlights the importance