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 story had an undercurrent of loss and longing, in this case for a spouse who had passed away, and a magical connection for them at the end.
—
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Journal Sentinel, 18 Dec. 2024
There are few instances of someone overacting more in a movie, unnecessarily adding an undercurrent of murderous, jokey psychotic to an already bizarre creation.
—Mark Kennedy, Boston Herald, 13 Dec. 2024
On a scene-to-scene level, Mr. Turner is packed full of delightful dialogue and wonderful scenes of 19th-century painters bickering and arguing, though its undercurrent is one of unstoppable modernity.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024
Heller scripted the dialogue and structured the coverage so that the film always emphasizes the emotional undercurrent of a relationship — whether things are about to erupt in anger or are slow and simmering, where what’s not being said is key.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for undercurrent 
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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Journal Sentinel, 18 Dec. 2024
There are few instances of someone overacting more in a movie, unnecessarily adding an undercurrent of murderous, jokey psychotic to an already bizarre creation.
—Mark Kennedy, Boston Herald, 13 Dec. 2024
On a scene-to-scene level, Mr. Turner is packed full of delightful dialogue and wonderful scenes of 19th-century painters bickering and arguing, though its undercurrent is one of unstoppable modernity.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024
Heller scripted the dialogue and structured the coverage so that the film always emphasizes the emotional undercurrent of a relationship — whether things are about to erupt in anger or are slow and simmering, where what’s not being said is key.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for undercurrent
Dictionary Entries Near undercurrent
Cite this Entry
“Undercurrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undercurrent. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.
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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