undercurrent

noun

un·​der·​cur·​rent ˈən-dər-ˌkər-ənt How to pronounce undercurrent (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See all Example Sentences for undercurrent 

Word History

First Known Use

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of undercurrent was in 1683

Dictionary Entries Near undercurrent

Cite this Entry

“Undercurrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undercurrent. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

undercurrent

noun
un·​der·​cur·​rent -ˌkər-ənt How to pronounce undercurrent (audio)
-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

More from Merriam-Webster on undercurrent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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