undermine

[uhn-der-mahyn, uhn-der-mahyn]

verb (used with object)

undermined, undermining 

1. to injure or destroy by insidious activity or imperceptible stages, sometimes tending toward a sudden dramatic effect.

2. to attack by indirect, secret, or underhand means; attempt to subvert by stealth.

3. to make an excavation under; dig or tunnel beneath, as a military stronghold.

4. to weaken or cause to collapse by removing underlying support, as by digging away or eroding the foundation.

undermine

/ ˌʌndəˈmaɪn /

verb

1. (of the sea, wind, etc) to wear away the bottom or base of (land, cliffs, etc)

2. to weaken gradually or insidiously

   their insults undermined her confidence

3. to tunnel or dig beneath

Other Word Forms

• underminer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of undermine¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English underminen; under-, mine ²

Example Sentences

According to civil society activist Abine Ayah, the likely exclusion of much of the English-speaking community could undermine the legitimacy of the election.

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He could try to find ways to funnel cash to farmers, but that would undermine his arguments against Democrats.

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After that Dolan was able to seriously pursue photography, which he would never have done with her voice in his head undermining him.

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The Tripoli-based government then condemned what it called a "failed attempt" and a "serious act aimed at undermining security and stability, and damaging Libya's relations with the international community".

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Perched in his art-filled château in the south of France, the British expatriate spent years hurling invectives at, falling out with or blatantly undermining an astonishing number of people.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• erode 
• frustrate 
• hurt 
• impair 
• ruin 
• sabotage 
• sap 
• subvert 
• threaten 
• thwart 
• torpedo 
• undercut 
• weaken 
• wreck