undermined

American  

[uhn-der-mahynd, uhn-der-mahynd] / ˌʌn dərˈmaɪnd, ˈʌn dərˌmaɪnd /

adjective

1. attacked, weakened, or defeated by underhand or seemingly harmless actions or by imperceptible stages.

   Both the struggling students and the most gifted ones are receiving limited support from an undermined educational system.

2. weakened or made to collapse by removing underlying support, as by eroding or digging away the foundation.

   With the release of material from the undermined cliffs at these sites, we should have had far more sand to feed the beaches, not less.

3. deliberately weakened by an excavation or tunnel dug underneath, as by an enemy in war.

   When the town was besieged, its defenders abandoned the undermined walls and retired into the citadel.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of undermine.

Etymology

Origin of undermined

undermine ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Norway's football federation abstained from the process and argued the bidding process undermined "Fifa's reforms for good governance" and challenged "trust in Fifa".

From BBC

Hong Kong's government said, in a statement, it was lodging a "strong protest" after Panama's "blatant act" undermined both the "spirit of the contracts" and "international trade rules".

From BBC

Lots of companies might find their business models undermined if it’s quick and easy to create new software.

From The Wall Street Journal

Authorities said Binance critically undermined the U.S. blockade on Iran’s economy, allowing U.S. users to make transactions worth over $898 million with Iranian users despite sanctions that bar financial institutions from transacting there.

From The Wall Street Journal

However, a flagship military editorial accused Zhang of having “seriously trampled on and undermined the system of ultimate responsibility resting with the chairman.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• flawed