undertow

[ uhn-der-toh ]

noun

1. the seaward, subsurface flow or draft of water from waves breaking on a beach.
2. any strong current below the surface of a body of water, moving in a direction different from that of the surface current.

undertow

/ ˈʌndəˌtəʊ /

noun

1. the seaward undercurrent following the breaking of a wave on the beach
2. any strong undercurrent flowing in a different direction from the surface current

undertow

/ ŭn′dər-tō′ /

1. An underwater current flowing strongly away from shore. Undertows are generally caused by the seaward return of water from waves that have broken against the shore.

Word History and Origins

Origin of undertow¹

First recorded in 1810–20; under- + tow ¹

Synonym Study

Undertow, underset, riptide are terms for a usually strong undercurrent in the ocean, contrary to the direction of surface water. Undertow and another nautical term, underset (a set or current contrary to the general set of the water, or contrary to the wind), came into notice early in the 19th century. The former is still in general use along the Atlantic coast; the latter now less well known. Rip, in use in the United States by the late 18th century, properly means a violently disturbed place in a body of water, usually by the meeting of opposing tides. Of recent years, in the form riptide, it has also been used, especially on the Pacific coast, to mean much the same as undertow, dangerous to bathers where heavy surf prevails.

Example Sentences

While the jobs came quickly, the undertow of racism in the industry was always there, tugging at him.

From Los Angeles Times

In the 2022 midterms, polls underestimated Democratic support by around four points, with a predicted red wave in Congress pulled back by a Democratic undertow and netting only a 10 seats for the GOP.

From Salon

There’s a melancholy undertow to the lyrics which, in tandem with the title, suggest her frenetic live shows are only just managing to keep anxiety and exhaustion at bay.

From BBC

O’Donnell, however, believes Cohen has been trying to sort out how his need for attention and the proximity of a celebrity led him to get “caught in the swirl and undertow” of a toxic relationship, as she put it in the interview Monday.

From Seattle Times

There’s a macho undertow to this — real men, real stunts — which dovetails with how his romance with Jody is, by turns, comically, sentimentally and, at times, irritatingly framed, including via split-screen mirroring à la “Pillow Talk.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• undercurrent