undertow
noun
un·der·tow
ˈən-dər-ˌtō 
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
… a huge undertow of opinion among medical and legal experts who say that the country has gone too far in making resuscitation a matter of consumer choice.—
Elisabeth Rosenthal
Elisabeth RosenthalExamples of undertow in a Sentence
Don't get caught in the undertow.
Recent Examples on the Web
There was an undertow, and my son was not an experienced swimmer.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Every ruler, every plan, every prophecy has been tested against the unruly currents of human will and the undertow of chance.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Several jellyfish species can be found in the North Sea as the creatures get carried away with the undertow, given offshore winds.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2025
He was fully clothed, which, combined with the river’s undertow and the wake of a passing boat, contributed to his drowning.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for undertow
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Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Every ruler, every plan, every prophecy has been tested against the unruly currents of human will and the undertow of chance.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Several jellyfish species can be found in the North Sea as the creatures get carried away with the undertow, given offshore winds.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2025
He was fully clothed, which, combined with the river’s undertow and the wake of a passing boat, contributed to his drowning.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for undertow
Cite this Entry
“Undertow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undertow. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
undertow
noun
un·der·tow
ˈən-dər-ˌtō
: 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
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