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
An undercurrent of frustration with the status quo was voiced by many throughout the summit, including Sadoski, who urged influencers and celebrities to stop with performative, exploitative social media activism and actually get their hands dirty.
—
Hadley Meares, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 July 2024
The town keeps the secret; the reader isn’t allowed in; and all throughout, there’s an undercurrent of judgment and disapproval, as if the girl, wayward and rebellious, had brought this on — whatever, in fact, happened to her — herself.
—Jess Row, Washington Post, 9 July 2024
Frazer’s love of hip-hop is an undercurrent throughout the record and was buoyed by Goose’s influence.
—Jessica Lipsky, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2024
This stone helps create a safe space where this Water sign can feel grounded and secure amidst external influences and emotional undercurrents.
—Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for undercurrent 
Hadley Meares, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 July 2024
The town keeps the secret; the reader isn’t allowed in; and all throughout, there’s an undercurrent of judgment and disapproval, as if the girl, wayward and rebellious, had brought this on — whatever, in fact, happened to her — herself.
—Jess Row, Washington Post, 9 July 2024
Frazer’s love of hip-hop is an undercurrent throughout the record and was buoyed by Goose’s influence.
—Jessica Lipsky, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2024
This stone helps create a safe space where this Water sign can feel grounded and secure amidst external influences and emotional undercurrents.
—Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for undercurrent
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'undercurrent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near undercurrent
Cite this Entry
“Undercurrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undercurrent. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
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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