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
undercurrent
adjective
Examples of undercurrent in a Sentence
You could be pulled under water by the dangerous undercurrents.
Recent Examples on the Web
In the horror film, which has an undercurrent of quirky irony, Ferrigno makes and sells jerky made of human flesh.
—
Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
Your characters are constantly singing songs from a 2007-through-2010 catalogue, and there’s this undercurrent of hopefulness to all of them.
—Justin Caffier, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
While some crowds did gather Saturday waving green, white and red flags in the predominantly Latino Pilsen neighborhood, an undercurrent of caution persisted.
—Priscilla Alvarez, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Both the Republican and Democratic parties had identical top-line favorabilities — of 68% negative versus 30% positive — albeit with different undercurrents driving the disdain for either.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for undercurrent
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Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
Your characters are constantly singing songs from a 2007-through-2010 catalogue, and there’s this undercurrent of hopefulness to all of them.
—Justin Caffier, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
While some crowds did gather Saturday waving green, white and red flags in the predominantly Latino Pilsen neighborhood, an undercurrent of caution persisted.
—Priscilla Alvarez, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Both the Republican and Democratic parties had identical top-line favorabilities — of 68% negative versus 30% positive — albeit with different undercurrents driving the disdain for either.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for undercurrent
Cite this Entry
“Undercurrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undercurrent. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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