View synonyms for riptide

riptide

[ rip-tahyd ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a tide that opposes another or other tides, causing a violent disturbance in the sea.

riptide

/ ˈrɪpˌtaɪd /

Also calledriptide-rip a stretch of turbulent water in the sea, caused by the meeting of currents or abrupt changes in depth
Also calledrip current a strong current, esp one flowing outwards from the shore, causing disturbance on the surface

Origin of riptide¹

First recorded in 1860–65; rip ² + tide ¹

Heidi Klum's Rescue: Heidi Klum saved her 7-year-old son Henry and his two nannies from a riptide in Hawaii on Sunday.

Politicians typically run the other way, knowing the riptide of the issue is dangerous for those who wade out too deep.

There may have been a riptide effect, where the unions turned out their people very strongly in their get out the vote campaigns.

But exaggerated fears can fuel themselves, and the dynamic of prejudice can be a riptide.

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