undercurrent

noun

un·​der·​cur·​rent ˈən-dər-ˌkər-ənt 

-ˌkə-rənt

1

: a current below the upper currents or surface

2

: a hidden opinion, feeling, or tendency often contrary to the one publicly shown

All of us, of course, are well aware that there is a strong undercurrent in our industrial societies of … anti-economic growth attitudes.

—Patrick E. Haggerty

undercurrent adjective

Examples of undercurrent in a Sentence

You could be pulled under water by the dangerous undercurrents.

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s an undercurrent in the book about the importance of linearity and sparsity. — ArsTechnica, 10 Nov. 2026

Rockefeller's vast wealth was always a source of conversation and an undercurrent in his political races. — Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026

The tides of war are an omnipresent undercurrent in the realm of opera. — Jordan Owen, AJC.com, 7 Nov. 2026

Rockefeller’s vast wealth was always a source of conversation and an undercurrent in his political races. — John Raby, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for undercurrent

• countercurrent
• intercurrent
• overcurrent
• photocurrent
• concurrent
• decurrent
• noncurrent
• recurrent
• current

Kids Definition

undercurrent

noun

un·​der·​cur·​rent -ˌkər-ənt 

-ˌkə-rənt

1

: a current below the upper currents or surface

undercurrents of water

2

: a hidden current of opinion or feeling often different from the one openly shown