undercurrent
Subtle underlying force
An undercurrent is a current flowing beneath the surface of water, often in a different direction from the surface current.
The word extends naturally to hidden forces or tendencies running beneath what's apparent: an undercurrent of resentment, an undercurrent of tension in the room.
These figurative undercurrents are felt rather than stated openly.
Dangerous outward current
- eddyCircular counter-current
- driftGradual movement, no direction
- currentDirected flow of charge
- swirlRotating, curving movement
pull · flow · stream · turbulence · whirlpool · backwash · surge · vortex
Indirect suggestion
- suggestionIdea proposed for consideration
- traceMinute remnant or pursue
- nuanceSlight shade of difference
- whisperSpeech without full voice
implication · intimation · insinuation · overtone · subtext · allusion · glimmer · echo
Prevailing emotional condition
- feelingSensed inner state
- toneQuality of sound
- atmosphereGaseous layer around planets
- vibeIntuitive sense of mood
sentiment · aura · temperament · sensibility · disposition · ethos · ambiance · pulse
Present but inactive
- covertIntentionally concealed
- veiledConcealed or obscured
- submergedBelow water's surface
- underlyingExisting beneath the surface
unseen · concealed · unspoken · masked · obscured · buried · invisible · subliminal
Mild persistent worry
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- disquietMental unrest or agitation
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
animosity · antagonism · distrust · suspicion · discord · strain · simmering · brewing
Indication of potential harm
- menaceSource of potential harm
- riskPossibility of harm
- perilSerious threat of harm
- hazardSource of potential harm
treacherous · ominous · foreboding · precarious · warning · sinister · portent · lurking
riptide
Dangerous outward current
swirl · pull · flow · stream · turbulence · whirlpool · backwash · surge · vortex · tidal
hint
Indirect suggestion
- suggestionIdea proposed for consideration
- traceMinute remnant or pursue
- nuanceSlight shade of difference
whisper · implication · intimation · insinuation · overtone · subtext · allusion · glimmer · echo · flicker
mood
Prevailing emotional condition
- feelingSensed inner state
- toneQuality of sound
- atmosphereGaseous layer around planets
vibe · sentiment · aura · temperament · sensibility · disposition · ethos · ambiance · pulse · climate
latent
Present but inactive
underlying · unseen · concealed · unspoken · masked · obscured · buried · invisible · subliminal · dormant
unease
Mild persistent worry
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- disquietMental unrest or agitation
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
resentment · animosity · antagonism · distrust · suspicion · discord · strain · simmering · brewing · festering
threat
Indication of potential harm
hazard · treacherous · ominous · foreboding · precarious · warning · sinister · portent · lurking · insidious
- currentselectric current, ocean current, air current, river current, tidal current
- water flowflow, water flow, streamflow, flow rate, current
- ocean currentsGulf Stream, ocean current, surface currents, deep currents, deep current
- subtexthidden meaning, implied meaning, veiled meaning, subtext, innuendo
- water currentscurrent, flow, riptide, eddy, river flow
- subtle meaningsnuance, subtext, implication, suggestion, connotation
undercurrentsurface water
Water on land's exterior
overflow · waves · surface wave · ripples · tidal flow