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

And Girls Just Wanna Weekend is about nothing if not about women and non-binary people coming together in a spirit of harmony, figuratively and very, very literally… with just an undercurrent of FAFO activist energy bubbling underneath. —Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026

However, beneath this people-first philosophy runs a more pragmatic and data-driven undercurrent. —Sarwant Singh, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026

However, there’s an undercurrent of activity sprawling throughout the city and state that appears to stand in direct opposition to those visuals. —Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026

And with a scornful undercurrent at the fact that Charli apparently stole Johannes out from under her. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 24 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