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
All of us, of course, are well aware that there is a strong undercurrent in our industrial societies of … anti-economic growth attitudes.—
Patrick E. Haggerty
Patrick E. Haggerty
undercurrent
adjective
Examples of undercurrent in a Sentence
You could be pulled under water by the dangerous undercurrents.
Recent Examples on the Web
Still, even as the memes become borderline unintelligible, Kirkslop contains an air of transgression that imbues the otherwise inane edits and images with perverse political undercurrents.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
From grassroots efforts led by environmental organizations to fashion brands investing in global marketing campaigns and activations to share their sustainable missions, concerns about sustainability have been an undercurrent in fashion for decades.
—Andre Claudio, Footwear News, 23 Apr. 2026
Already, despite the president’s surface bravado, an undercurrent of nervousness had emerged.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Their belief runs through the islands like an undercurrent.
—Adam Pourahmadi, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for undercurrent
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Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
From grassroots efforts led by environmental organizations to fashion brands investing in global marketing campaigns and activations to share their sustainable missions, concerns about sustainability have been an undercurrent in fashion for decades.
—Andre Claudio, Footwear News, 23 Apr. 2026
Already, despite the president’s surface bravado, an undercurrent of nervousness had emerged.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Their belief runs through the islands like an undercurrent.
—Adam Pourahmadi, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for undercurrent
Cite this Entry
“Undercurrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undercurrent. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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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