If there is an undercurrentof a feeling, you are hardly aware of the feeling, but it influences the way you think or behave.
We have become quite accustomed to an undercurrent of criticism of our large grocerychains. [+ of]
2. countable noun
An undercurrent is a strong current of water that is moving below the surface current and in a different direction to it.
Colin tried to swim after him but the strong undercurrent swept them apart.
Synonyms: undertow, tideway, riptide, rip More Synonyms of undercurrent
More Synonyms of undercurrent
undercurrent in British English
(ˈʌndəˌkʌrənt)
noun
1.
a current that is not apparent at the surface or lies beneath another current
2.
an opinion, emotion, etc, lying beneath apparent feeling or meaning
Also called: underflow
undercurrent in American English
(ˈʌndərˌkɜrənt)
noun
1.
a current, as of water or air, flowing below another or beneath the surface
2.
an underlying tendency, opinion, etc., usually one that is kept hidden and not expressed openly
Examples of 'undercurrent' in a sentence
undercurrent
Nor did I sense any undercurrent of deep emotion beneath the facile stream of notes.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This has a dark undercurrent which runs throughout but is a must for anyone who loves theatre.
The Sun (2012)
There is a strong undercurrent in our society of people feeling troubled by where the world has taken us.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Violence was again seen to be a strong undercurrent in American society.
Grenville, J. A. S. The Collins History of the World in the 20th Century (1994)
They were swiftly dragged under by the bay's strong undercurrent and began to struggle.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The undercurrent is terribly strong, and if you once get down into it you are all right.
Jerome K. Jerome Three Men in a Boat (1889)
For many people, there is just a really strong undercurrent of anxiety that runs through their life.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
A strong undercurrent pulled him out to sea.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
A strong undercurrent may have pulled him under.
The Sun (2009)
Whether or not those qualities are enough to find true love is something else again, and there is a strong undercurrent of sadness in thefilm.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Sources suggest that there might also be a strong undercurrent of resentment over the huge salary imbalance between Chinese and Japanese workers at the same plants.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
undercurrent
British English: undercurrent NOUN
feeling If there is an undercurrent of a feeling, you are hardly aware of the feeling, but it influences the way you think or behave.
There was an undercurrent of hostility between us.
American English: undercurrent
Brazilian Portuguese: tendência
Chinese: 潜在 > 倾向情感
European Spanish: trasfondo
French: courant sous-jacentN
German: Unterton
Italian: sottofondo
Japanese: 心の底
Korean: >암류감정의
European Portuguese: tendência
Latin American Spanish: trasfondo
British English: undercurrent NOUN
in water An undercurrent is a strong current of water that is moving below the surface current and in a different direction to it.
She tried to swim after him but the strong undercurrent swept them apart.
American English: undercurrent
Brazilian Portuguese: corrente submarina
Chinese: 暗流情感
European Spanish: corriente submarina
French: courant sous-marinN
German: Unterströmung
Italian: corrente sottomarina
Japanese: 底流
Korean: 저류
European Portuguese: corrente submarina
Latin American Spanish: corriente submarina
1 (noun)
Definition
an underlying opinion or emotion
There is a strong undercurrent of sadness in the film.
Synonyms
undertone
The sobbing voice had an undertone of anger.
feeling
a feeling of opulence and grandeur
atmosphere
The muted decor adds to the relaxed atmosphere.
sense
There is no sense of urgency on either side.
suggestion
trend
a trend towards part-time employment
hint
I glanced at her and saw no hint of irony on her face.
flavour
clothes with a nostalgic Forties flavour
tendency
the government's tendency towards secrecy in recent years
drift
She was beginning to get his drift.
murmur
She spoke in a low murmur.
tenor
The whole tenor of discussions has changed.
aura
She had an aura of authority.
tinge
vibes (slang)
vibrations
overtone
a powerful story, with religious overtones
hidden feeling
2 (noun)
Definition
a current that is not apparent at the surface
He tried to swim after him but the strong undercurrent swept them apart.
Synonyms
undertow
tideway
riptide
rip
rip current
crosscurrent
underflow
Additional synonyms
in the sense of atmosphere
Definition
a pervasive feeling or mood
The muted decor adds to the relaxed atmosphere.
Synonyms
feeling,
feel,
air,
quality,
character,
environment,
spirit,
surroundings,
tone,
mood,
climate,
flavour,
aura,
ambience,
vibes (slang)
in the sense of aura
Definition
a distinctive air or quality associated with a person or thing
She had an aura of authority.
Synonyms
air,
feeling,
feel,
quality,
atmosphere,
tone,
suggestion,
mood,
scent,
aroma,
odour,
ambience,
vibes (slang),
vibrations (slang),
emanation
in the sense of drift
Definition
the main point of an argument or speech
She was beginning to get his drift.
Synonyms
meaning,
point,
gist,
aim,
direction,
object,
import,
intention,
implication,
tendency,
significance,
thrust,
tenor,
purport
Synonyms of 'undercurrent'
undercurrent
Explore 'undercurrent' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of feeling
Definition
the impression or mood created by something
a feeling of opulence and grandeur
Synonyms
atmosphere,
mood,
aura,
ambience,
feel,
air,
quality,
vibes (slang)
in the sense of flavour
Definition
a distinctive quality or atmosphere
clothes with a nostalgic Forties flavour
Synonyms
quality,
feeling,
feel,
style,
property,
touch,
character,
aspect,
tone,
suggestion,
stamp,
essence,
tinge,
soupçon
in the sense of hint
Definition
a small amount
I glanced at her and saw no hint of irony on her face.
Synonyms
trace,
touch,
suggestion,
taste,
breath,
dash,
whisper,
suspicion,
tinge,
whiff,
speck,
undertone,
soupçon
in the sense of murmur
Definition
an indistinct utterance
She spoke in a low murmur.
Synonyms
whisper,
whispering,
mutter,
mumble,
drone,
purr,
babble,
undertone
in the sense of overtone
Definition
an additional meaning or hint
a powerful story, with religious overtones
Synonyms
connotation,
association,
suggestion,
sense,
hint,
flavour,
implication,
significance,
nuance,
colouring,
innuendo,
undercurrent,
intimation
in the sense of sense
Definition
a mental perception or awareness
There is no sense of urgency on either side.
Synonyms
feeling,
impression,
perception,
awareness,
consciousness,
atmosphere,
aura,
intuition,
premonition,
presentiment
in the sense of tendency
Definition
the general course or drift of something
the government's tendency towards secrecy in recent years