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 of political violence that wasn’t present in the same way a year ago. —Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2026

And for some, Q1 also brings a quieter undercurrent of overwhelm. —Lorraine K. Lee, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026

Trilogy is disturbing and alluring, with its ghostly production and chillingly misanthropic undercurrent. —Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026

That’s in keeping with the album’s overall vibe; even at its most placid, there’s an unsettling undercurrent. —Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 14 Jan. 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