undermine
verb (used with object)
to injure or destroy by insidious activity or imperceptible stages, sometimes tending toward a sudden dramatic effect.
had undermined
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past perfectof undermine.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
WhatsApp messages sent to Motin by his wife had "undermined his credibility", the CPS noted.
From Barron's ● Feb. 2, 2026
More than half of those suits alleged the administration had undermined or failed to comply with federal environmental rules.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2024
Patient Danielle Downs said the issue had undermined her confidence in the fitness and diet regime she had been following.
From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2024
City inspectors said the excavation had undermined the stability of two single-story structures behind the synagogue.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 11, 2024
Rather he meant that, whatever their intentions, the new sciences had undermined credulous belief.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
