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
Black Salt Games has partnered with production company Story Kitchen to create a live-action feature adaptation of the single-player Lovecraftian fishing adventure with a sinister undercurrent.
—
Katcy Stephan, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
The friction between Nightingale and her jealous, unstable older sister provides a crucial undercurrent to the central action of Pritchard’s novel.
—Alida Becker, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024
Drowning: Some beaches have strong undercurrents and rip tides.
—Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Mar. 2024
However, negative undercurrents are building that will upend those rosy hopes.
—John S. Tobey, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
The Healing History of Baths In antiquity, the link between bathing and health usually carried a religious undercurrent.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024
The white-sand beaches and crystal-blue waters along the coast are inviting, but some beaches have strong undercurrents and rip tides without the safety of lifeguards or even warnings about unsafe conditions, the embassy said.
—Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 1 Mar. 2024
Amid the warm feelings at the Huntington Park holiday parade, there was an undercurrent of discord.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024
Squiggly synths and guitars coat the undercurrent of the fizzy song, which belies the vulnerability in her lyrics about finding the courage to move past a relationship gone kaput and excavate her inner strength.
—USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2024
Katcy Stephan, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024
The friction between Nightingale and her jealous, unstable older sister provides a crucial undercurrent to the central action of Pritchard’s novel.
—Alida Becker, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024
Drowning: Some beaches have strong undercurrents and rip tides.
—Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Mar. 2024
However, negative undercurrents are building that will upend those rosy hopes.
—John S. Tobey, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
The Healing History of Baths In antiquity, the link between bathing and health usually carried a religious undercurrent.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024
The white-sand beaches and crystal-blue waters along the coast are inviting, but some beaches have strong undercurrents and rip tides without the safety of lifeguards or even warnings about unsafe conditions, the embassy said.
—Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 1 Mar. 2024
Amid the warm feelings at the Huntington Park holiday parade, there was an undercurrent of discord.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024
Squiggly synths and guitars coat the undercurrent of the fizzy song, which belies the vulnerability in her lyrics about finding the courage to move past a relationship gone kaput and excavate her inner strength.
—USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2024
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 28 Apr. 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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