MEANING
1. A strong tidal flow, especially through an inlet or the mouth of an estuary.
2. A strong negative feeling or social force that is difficult to resist or control.
Use it for
describing fast tidal water through a narrow entrance; distinguishing a tidal stream from a surf-zone rip current; showing a vessel struggling with tidal flowKeeps the tidal-current meaning distinct from the often-confused surf-zone rip current. Writing functions: Tidal flow / Powerful opposing forces.
Words that belong together
- a strong riptide
- a dangerous riptide
- caught in a riptide
On the page
The pilot waited for the riptide at the inlet to weaken.
A riptide pulled the drifting boat toward the harbor mouth.
The negotiations were dragged apart by a riptide of resentment.
She struggled against the emotional riptides of returning home.
Word forms
- Base
- riptide
Usage notes
Countable noun: riptide, riptides. Also written rip tide. Register: neutral. Commonness: moderately common (dictionary-informed qualitative editorial estimate; not a measured frequency).
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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