Showing results for "undermining"

• present participle of undermine.

undermining

American  

[uhn-der-mahy-ning] / ˈʌn dərˌmaɪ nɪŋ /

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.

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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

Etymology

Origin of undermining

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

However, it said earlier this month that applying the DMA to cloud services risked undermining competitiveness, deterring investment, and weighing on innovation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026

While Vance was praising a technical framework designed to facilitate a regional ceasefire, the president was threatening the total annihilation of his negotiating partners, completely undermining his vice president’s diplomatic messaging.

From Salon • Jun. 22, 2026

Nawrocki said Kyiv's "decision to glorify the UPA is not only outrageous" but also "deeply disappointing", undermining "reconciliation" between the two nations.

From Barron's • Jun. 20, 2026

If income drops, a job is lost or competing financial priorities emerge, premium payments may be reduced or stopped altogether, potentially undermining the policy’s long-term viability.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 16, 2026

“There are too many for the bunker already, and I don’t think I can make it any bigger, not without undermining the house or falling into the cellar.”

From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron

Related Words

• subversion