undermine

[ uhn-der-mahyn or especially for 1, 2, 4, uhn-der-mahyn ]

/ ˌʌn dərˈmaɪn or especially for 1, 2, 4, ˈʌn dərˌmaɪn /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR undermine ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), un·der·mined, un·der·min·ing.

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

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

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

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

Nearby words

underling, underlit, underlying, undermanned, undermentioned, undermine, undermining ulcer, undermodulate, undermost, underneath, undernourish

Origin of undermine

First recorded in 1300–50, undermine is from the Middle English word underminen. See under-, mine²

Related formsun·der·min·er, nounun·der·min·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for undermining

There is no question that undermining the financial foundations of ISIS is an important first step to rolling back the group.
To Kill the ISIS Monster You Gotta Do More Than Cut Off Its Money|Charlie Winter|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The emerging power dynamics in Yemen are undermining U.S. gains against Al Qaeda and strengthening ISIS.
Yemen’s a Model All Right—For Disaster|Michael Shank , Casey Harrity|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I am just so convinced that junk food and high sugar food are undermining the health of people…It caused a lot of strain.
Why the Rockefellers Rejected Big Oil|Tim Mak|September 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The song has been accused of reinforcing rape culture and the undermining of women.
We Should Celebrate Social Media's Slaying of Robin Thicke|Tauriq Moosa|July 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Are you unaware of the role agent provocateurs, special branch and MI5 have played in undermining us?
Did MI5 Spies Troll J.K. Rowling Over Scottish Independence?|The Telegraph|June 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Undermining of the monastic state and ruin of good monasteries.
Burgundy: The Splendid Duchy|Percy Allen
There is the undermining of old-established and valuable British industries by unfair foreign competition.
Constructive Imperialism|Viscount Milner
It was only on the sixth day that they succeeded in undermining a part of the northern wall in front of the Temple.
History of the Jews, Vol. II (of 6)|Heinrich Graetz
He worked on her subconsciousness, 126 undermining her path, and at nights and in her sleep she grew aware of him.
The Branding Iron|Katharine Newlin Burt
It did not succeed in bringing over the world to the pure idea of God, but it did help in undermining cruder paganism.
Philo-Judaeus of Alexandria|Norman Bentwich

British Dictionary definitions for undermining

undermine

/ (ˌʌndəˈmaɪn) /

verb (tr)

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

to weaken gradually or insidiouslytheir insults undermined her confidence

to tunnel or dig beneath

Derived Formsunderminer, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for undermining

undermine

c.1300, undermyne, from under + mine (v.). The figurative sense is attested from early 15c. Cf. Dutch ondermijnen, Danish underminere, German unterminiren. Related: Undermined; undermining.

undermine

verb (used with object), un·der·mined, un·der·min·ing.

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Nearby words

Origin of undermine

Examples from the Web for undermining

British Dictionary definitions for undermining

undermine

verb (tr)

Word Origin and History for undermining

undermine