undermine

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

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.

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

Contemporary Examples of 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
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
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
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
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

Historical Examples of undermining

West Point and the bath-tub were undermining our institutions.
Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 7, May 14, 1870
Various
We can't bear the plotting and undermining that takes place.
Barnaby Rudge
Charles Dickens
Yet, were I to show the least energy or activity in support of the King's authority, I should then be accused of undermining it.
The Secret Memoirs of Louis XV./XVI, Complete
Madame du Hausset, an "Unknown English Girl" and the Princess Lamballe
It is not science which is undermining the future of institutional religion.
Mountain Meditations
L. Lind-af-Hageby
To tear away their present faith, is like undermining their existence.
Mizora: A Prophecy
Mary E. Bradley

British Dictionary definitions for undermining

undermine

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.