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

Darling details and tender textiles lined the runways, infusing designer collections with an empowering undercurrent and a subtle sense of feminine allure. —Elizabeth Grace Coyne, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025

The mirth carries with it an undercurrent of Tyla’s particular brand of charisma. —Funmi Fetto, Vogue, 25 Feb. 2025

But amid the political chaos set off by the Trump administration's hurried push to end the conflict runs a more subtle undercurrent of dealings aimed at achieving a different goal: access to Ukraine's significant reserves of rare earth minerals. —Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 21 Feb. 2025

Privately, there's an undercurrent of worry in Trumpworld that political gravity could weigh him down — especially if inflation rises. —Marc Caputo, Axios, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for undercurrent

• countercurrent
• intercurrent
• overcurrent
• photocurrent
• concurrent
• decurrent
• noncurrent
• recurrent
• current

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