riptide

[ rip-tahyd ]

/ ˈrɪpˌtaɪd /

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

Origin of riptide

First recorded in 1860–65; rip² + tide¹

See undertow.

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

Heidi Klum Heroically Saves Son From Drowning; Angelina Jolie Sells Jewelry to Fund Afghan School |The Fashion Beast Team |April 2, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Politicians typically run the other way, knowing the riptide of the issue is dangerous for those who wade out too deep.

Circumcision’s Deadly Fault Line: Rationality vs. the Metzitzah B’Peh |Kent Sepkowitz |June 10, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
There may have been a riptide effect, where the unions turned out their people very strongly in their get out the vote campaigns.

Don't Blame Me for Paladino! |Samuel P. Jacobs |November 26, 2010 |DAILY BEAST
But exaggerated fears can fuel themselves, and the dynamic of prejudice can be a riptide.

How to Spot an Islamophobe |James Carroll |January 30, 2010 |DAILY BEAST

riptide

/ (ˈrɪpˌtaɪd) /

Also called: rip, tide-rip a stretch of turbulent water in the sea, caused by the meeting of currents or abrupt changes in depth

Also called: rip current a strong current, esp one flowing outwards from the shore, causing disturbance on the surface