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Meanings of undercurrent in English

A subdued emotional quality underlying an utterance; implicit meaning.

A current below the surface of a fluid.

Synonyms
Examples for "undertone"
Examples for "undertone"
1
Then one of the sailors in the boat spoke in an undertone.
The Submarine Boys and the Middies / Or, the Prize Detail at Ann...
2
The man dressed in scarlet turned round and said in an undertone:
The Severed Hand / From "German Tales" Published by the American...
3
The latter part of the sentence was muttered in an unheeded undertone.
Princess
4
Regarding him with a grave eye, his friend replied in an undertone:
Veranilda
5
The scout indicated the course, and then added, in an excited undertone:
The Cave in the Mountain / A Sequel to In the Pecos Country
Usage of undercurrent in English
1
However, given the prickly undercurrent, today may not be the best day!
The South African
2
That said; good intentions could be undermined by the subtly judgmental undercurrent.
The South African
3
This movement finds a strong undercurrent of favor in all the churches.
The United States in the Light of Prophecy / Or, an Exposition o...
4
Highly subtle planetary accents are likely to bring out a materialistic undercurrent.
The South African
5
In the midst of it all, an undercurrent of events was flowing.
Tarrano the Conqueror
6
The psychological effect of the environment's decay is a strong undercurrent here.
Ebony
7
The twinkling red glow of the lights held an undercurrent of warning.
The Maze Runner
8
Ling Yun wondered if the others could hear that undercurrent of ferocity.
Year's best sf 15
9
Ng is soft-spoken with an undercurrent of passion when discussing his research.
Wired
10
That note of bitterness in his voice sprang from some deeper undercurrent.
The Vision of Desire
11
Be certain and study the undercurrent of sentiment for or against us.
I Spy
12
But beneath all this runs the swift undercurrent of an absorbing passion.
The Women of the French Salons
13
She began speaking quickly, an undercurrent of suppressed excitement in her tones.
The Splendid Folly
14
She spoke as in jest, but with a perceptible undercurrent of earnestness.
Philip Winwood / A Sketch of the Domestic History of an American...
15
Grant was conscious of an undercurrent of suspicion in the constable's manner.
The Postmaster's Daughter
16
There was a shocked undercurrent to yesterday's All-Ireland under-21 final in Tullamore.
The Irish Times
About this term
More collocations
Undercurrent through the time
Undercurrent across language varieties
South Africa
Common
United Kingdom
Rare
United States of America
Rare