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 debate was the roiling undercurrent of the will-he-or-won’t-he drama over Biden these last few weeks.
—
Christian Paz, Vox, 21 July 2024
Though tending toward the whimsical, the stories also display the dark undercurrents of early psychiatry.
—The New Yorker, 15 July 2024
Some labor market experts see burdensome application requirements among the undercurrents roiling an already difficult job market for grads.
—Kevin Williams, CNBC, 14 July 2024
Yet there’s an undercurrent of uncertainty hovering over everything, as if Janet is waiting for her life to start in earnest and Lacy is unsure whether anything less than her mom’s full, undivided attention is enough to sustain her through childhood’s eventual end.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for undercurrent 
Christian Paz, Vox, 21 July 2024
Though tending toward the whimsical, the stories also display the dark undercurrents of early psychiatry.
—The New Yorker, 15 July 2024
Some labor market experts see burdensome application requirements among the undercurrents roiling an already difficult job market for grads.
—Kevin Williams, CNBC, 14 July 2024
Yet there’s an undercurrent of uncertainty hovering over everything, as if Janet is waiting for her life to start in earnest and Lacy is unsure whether anything less than her mom’s full, undivided attention is enough to sustain her through childhood’s eventual end.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 June 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 18 Aug. 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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