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
The narrative transforms an undercurrent of emotional frustration into deep, lyrical beauty.
—
Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 19 June 2024
Aging out of the system is an undercurrent in many episodes — the moment when young people are suddenly on their own.
—Emily Wax-Thibodeaux, Washington Post, 14 June 2024
Unofficial results showed Biden dominating the Democratic field, though Marianne Williamson notched thousands of votes with a nearly invisible campaign in a sign of an undercurrent of discontent.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 19 Mar. 2024
Pair that problem with the Giants’ lack of starting pitchers and the youth of some of the team’s top performers as of late, and there’s an undercurrent of precariousness to the entire San Francisco operation at the moment.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for undercurrent 
Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 19 June 2024
Aging out of the system is an undercurrent in many episodes — the moment when young people are suddenly on their own.
—Emily Wax-Thibodeaux, Washington Post, 14 June 2024
Unofficial results showed Biden dominating the Democratic field, though Marianne Williamson notched thousands of votes with a nearly invisible campaign in a sign of an undercurrent of discontent.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 19 Mar. 2024
Pair that problem with the Giants’ lack of starting pitchers and the youth of some of the team’s top performers as of late, and there’s an undercurrent of precariousness to the entire San Francisco operation at the moment.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for undercurrent
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'undercurrent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near undercurrent
Cite this Entry
“Undercurrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undercurrent. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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