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

As children darted through the home and neighbors passed food to each other, an undercurrent of anxiety, outrage and worry ran through the group. —Keely Doll, The Courier-Journal, 11 Dec. 2024

Curiously, how did get CNN to say yes to Muncie Daniels actually being a CNN pundit, especially since there’s an undercurrent that’s an indictment of corporate news media in the series. —Ronda Racha Penrice, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Dec. 2024

This and other conflicts have contributed to an undercurrent of old beefs in Tahoe’s bear community. —Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2024

Join 290 others in the comments View Comments While Musk and his friends trade memes and crack each other up, there’s a serious undercurrent here. —Brian Stelter, CNN, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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