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

Werber’s intricate world-building and philosophical undercurrents have long been considered unadaptable, but Xilam and UGC have set off crack the beloved novel to deliver a high-concept series aimed at global family audiences, spanning from young viewers to adults who grew up with the bestseller. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 11 Dec. 2025

However, the influence of Uranus in Taurus interrupts the secrecy and mysterious undercurrents to deliver a brutally honest and surprising message. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025

This was an Oakland that Beam knew well — where sports forges the kind of lifelong community bonds that overcome any undercurrent of tragedy. —Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 6 Dec. 2025

In the first place, feelings provide an undercurrent to the connections made in memory, drawing together elements through feelings of similarity. —Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025

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