undertow

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noun un·der·tow \ ˈən-dər-ˌtō \

Definition of undertow

1 :the current beneath the surface that sets seaward or along the beach when waves are breaking upon the shore

2 :an underlying current, force, or tendency that is in opposition to what is apparent

See undertow defined for English-language learners

See undertow defined for kids

Examples of undertow in a Sentence

Don't get caught in the undertow.

Recent Examples of undertow from the Web

Ostensibly, she had been saved from the undertow of poverty, raised within reach of positive influences and given a real chance at a prosperous future.

— leila atassi, cleveland.com, "The most resilient woman you've never met, Contessa Korper: A Greater Cleveland," 18 Aug. 2017
While rescuing a man who had gone over the dam, they were caught in the undertow created by water rushing over the dam.

— sarah freishtat, Aurora Beacon-News, "After rescues, authorities warn residents to stay away from the Fox River," 28 July 2017
The hero of that tale—which will, of course, inevitably intertwine with the others—is Franklin, a smart kid nonetheless pulled in by drugs’ undertow.

— vanityfair.com, "Snowfall Provides Only Fleeting, Forgettable Highs," 5 July 2017
The hero of that tale—which will, of course, inevitably intertwine with the others—is Franklin, a smart kid nonetheless pulled in by drugs’ undertow.

— richard lawson, HWD, "Snowfall Provides Only Fleeting, Forgettable Highs," 5 July 2017
But by his third year on the job, Dean had been sucked into the undertow of scandal that eventually drowned the Nixon administration.

— emily cadei, Newsweek, "White House Wild Card? Counsel Don McGahn’s Pull Between Trump and the Office of the Presidency," 20 June 2017
The rocks near the waterfall can be slippery, and the undertow inside the pool below is deceptively strong.

— antonio olivo, Washington Post, "Long holiday weekend means cracking down on teen drinking in Fairfax parks," 26 May 2017
If only all that solid stuff had a stronger gravity to it, an undertow that drew us from our assessing distance and into the picture.

— richard lawson, VanityFair.com, "Robert Pattinson Pulls a Kristen Stewart in His Cannes Hit Good Time," 25 May 2017
While there are some flickers of chemistry — the scenes in which Esther and Mr. Marks discuss fabric have a nice undertow of romantic tension — there’s a missing wholeness in the overall arc of the tale.

— dominic p. papatola, Twin Cities, "Theater review: ‘Intimate Apparel’ could be more tightly stitched," 15 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'undertow.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of undertow

1817

UNDERTOW Defined for English Language Learners

undertow

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noun

Definition of undertow for English Language Learners

: a current in the sea or ocean that is below the surface and that moves away from the shore

UNDERTOW Defined for Kids

undertow

play

noun un·der·tow \ ˈən-dər-ˌtō \

Definition of undertow for Students

:a current beneath the surface of the water that moves away from or along the shore while the surface water above it moves toward the shore

Learn More about undertow

See words that rhyme with undertow Spanish Central: Translation of undertow Nglish: Translation of undertow for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about undertow

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undertow

Definition of undertow

Examples of undertow in a Sentence

Recent Examples of undertow from the Web

First Known Use of undertow

UNDERTOW Defined for English Language Learners

undertow

Definition of undertow for English Language Learners

UNDERTOW Defined for Kids

undertow

Definition of undertow for Students

Learn More about undertow

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Examples of undertow in a Sentence

Recent Examples of undertow from the Web

First Known Use of undertow

UNDERTOW Defined for English Language Learners

undertow

Definition of undertow for English Language Learners

UNDERTOW Defined for Kids

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Definition of undertow for Students

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