undermined
Americanadjective
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
verb
Etymology
Origin of undermined
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.
In its decision, the committee said Burwood's actions were "deplorable" and she was "morally culpable", adding that public confidence in the profession would be undermined if a finding of impairment was not made.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
The S&P 500 has been in holding pattern for two months now, its progress stalled by bond-market carnage and its technicals undermined by the narrow breadth of stocks keeping up the index.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026
A new documentary is reviving the stirring if maddening voyage of the “Mighty Mary,” a groundbreaking America’s Cup crew undermined by one of the most baffling backroom deals in sports history.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
Four actors, affixed with in-ear monitors, occupy different seats as testimony is elicited, provided and undermined.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
These two scandals coming together undermined the credibility of the government and strengthened our hand.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
