undermine
verb (used with object)
to injure or destroy by insidious activity or imperceptible stages, sometimes tending toward a sudden dramatic effect.
were undermining
-
past progressiveof undermine.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
The Geneva-based agency said funding cuts were undermining its efforts to help people move away from reliance on aid.
From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026
Last year, the FCC sought information on whether the major networks had gained too much leverage over local stations and whether affiliation agreements were undermining stations’ control over programming and operations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
MPs have already warned that repeated delays to publication were undermining the UK's credibility with allies.
From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026
His last years with the agency were unhappy, however, as he came to feel that some of his colleagues were undermining him.
From New York Times ● Sep. 4, 2022
"I am afraid if Aunt Faith knew they were undermining her terrace, she would order them out of her's, too."
From The Old Stone House by Constance Fenimore Woolson
