undermining
Americannoun
-
the act or process of injuring, attacking, or destroying something or someone indirectly or by imperceptible degrees, often leading to a dramatic collapse.
The undermining of Scottish Gaelic as a viable language resulted not from decrees, but from a gradual weakening of independent Scottish institutions.
-
the act or process of weakening something or causing it to collapse by removing its underlying support, as by erosion.
During the heavy rains, blocked sewers caused the flooding of the basement and the undermining of the wall by water.
-
the act of digging or tunneling underneath something, as a military stronghold.
The siege works were now close enough to allow the undermining of some of the bastions of the fortress.
adjective
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weakening something or someone gradually or indirectly.
Seating students in rows, so they cannot see each other’s faces, has an undermining effect on their engagement.
-
digging or tunneling underneath something, or removing or eroding its underlying support.
The land along the shoreline collapsed because of undermining waves and currents.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of undermining
First recorded in 1350–1400; undermin(e) ( def. ) + -ing 1 ( def. ) for the noun senses; undermin(e) ( def. ) + -ing 2 ( def. ) for the adjective senses
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.
The whole reason thousands of men fought a war over the most beautiful woman alive is that there’s only one of them — unless undermining that excuse is the point.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026
Burnham, who has been a long-standing supporter of the Hillsborough campaigners, said government plans for the intelligence services created "too broad an opt-out" and risked "undermining the spirit of the legislation".
From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026
Doha later summoned Iran's deputy ambassador to lodge a complaint, demanding an explanation and urging Tehran to "immediately cease any practices undermining regional security."
From Barron's ● Jul. 7, 2026
He said such arguments risk undermining Canada's future "right at the time when we're seen as one of the most trustworthy, reliable desirable countries to do business with - and we shouldn't mess that up".
From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026
Shin knew he was undermining his ability to adapt to his new life, but he also knew that he could not force himself to change.
From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
