undertow

[uhn-der-toh]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR undertow ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the seaward, subsurface flow or draft of water from waves breaking on a beach.

any strong current below the surface of a body of water, moving in a direction different from that of the surface current.

Origin of undertow

First recorded in 1810–20; under- + tow¹

Synonyms for undertow

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR undertow ON THESAURUS.COM

2. 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 U.S. 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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for undertow

Contemporary Examples of undertow

This undertow, of violence and duplicitousness and frustration, paradoxically propels the book forward.
Teju Cole’s Keen Eye Spares No One—Himself Included
Benjamin Lytal
July 9, 2014
But life itself is messy and unceremonious; it cannot stop too long for death without losing itself to the undertow.
Memorial Days After Mourning Has Passed
Alex Horton
May 25, 2014
"All along the undertow is strengthening its hold," Cuomo sang.
Remembering Weezer’s ‘The Blue Album,’ A Garage Rock Classic, on Its 20th Anniversary
Andrew Romano
May 10, 2014
Seven days after Flight 370 disappeared, the families of those on board are stuck in an undertow of uncertainty.
The Flight 370 Paradox: How Do You Mourn a Missing Person?
Abby Haglage
March 15, 2014
Given the frustration in the international community, Israel must reverse an undertow of isolation.
Full Video and Transcript of Obama's Speech in Israel
Justin Green
March 21, 2013

Historical Examples of undertow

In the course of a month the secret propaganda was moving with the invisible, sinister, irresistible suction of an undertow.
The White Morning
Gertrude Atherton
For our theory—which may be entirely wrong—is that the breaking is due to the undertow of previous waves.
Pipefuls
Christopher Morley
With me it swept to sentiment, and carried me uncontrollably in its undertow.
The Portal of Dreams
Charles Neville Buck
They were quickly carried out to sea by the undertow, which they fought away from and propelled themselves to the surface.
The Meadow-Brook Girls by the Sea
Janet Aldridge
I love the sea with its impenetrable fathoms, its wash and undertow, and rasp of shingle sucked anew.
The Roadmender
Michael Fairless

British Dictionary definitions for undertow

undertow

noun

the seaward undercurrent following the breaking of a wave on the beach

any strong undercurrent flowing in a different direction from the surface current

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for undertow

1798, from under + tow (n.).

Science definitions for undertow

undertow

[ŭn′dər-tō′]

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.

undertow

noun

RELATED WORDS

Origin of undertow

Synonyms for undertow

Examples from the Web for undertow

Contemporary Examples of undertow

Historical Examples of undertow

undertow

noun

undertow