undermining

[uhn-der-mahy-ning]

noun

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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

1. 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.

2. 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

• underminingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of undermining¹

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

They said Serhii K was "strongly suspected of jointly causing an explosion and of sabotage undermining the constitution".

From BBC

It can leave supporters paying extortionate prices, or being completely out of pocket after buying tickets that do not work, as well as undermining segregation of fans.

From BBC

Furthermore, the administration’s chaotic policy implementation, exemplified by confusion over H-1B visa fees and the Georgia battery factory ICE raid that detained 300 South Korean workers, is undermining business confidence and international partnerships.

From Los Angeles Times

The government had argued the order risked undermining the new returns policy, but the Court of Appeal refused Home Office lawyers permission to appeal against that decision.

From BBC

This is because they risk further undermining trust in immunisation - one of the great health success stories of the past century.

From BBC

Related Words

• subversion