Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense undermines, present participle undermining, past tense, past participle undermined
1. verb
If you undermine something such as a feeling or a system, you make it less strong or less secure than it was before, often by a gradual process or by repeated efforts.
Offering advice on each and every problem will undermine her feeling of being adult. [VERB noun]
Western intelligence agencies are accused of trying to undermine the government. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: weaken, sabotage, subvert, compromise More Synonyms of undermine
2. verb
If you undermine someone or undermine their position or authority, you make their authority or position less secure, often by indirect methods.
She undermined him and destroyed his confidence in his own talent. [VERB noun]
The conversations were designed to undermine her authority. [VERB noun]
3. verb
If you undermine someone's efforts or undermine their chances of achieving something, you behave in a way that makes them less likely to succeed.
The continued fighting threatens to undermine efforts to negotiate an agreement. [VERB noun]
I don't want to do something that would undermine the chances of success. [VERB noun]
More Synonyms of undermine
undermine in British English
(ˌʌndəˈmaɪn)
verb(transitive)
1.
(of the sea, wind, etc) to wear away the bottom or base of (land, cliffs, etc)
2.
to weaken gradually or insidiously
the constant criticism undermined my confidence
3.
to tunnel or dig beneath
Derived forms
underminer (ˌunderˈminer)
noun
undermine in American English
(ˌʌndərˈmaɪn; ˈʌndərˌmaɪn)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˌunderˈmined or ˌunderˈmining
1.
to dig beneath; excavate ground from under, so as to form a tunnel or mine
2.
to wear away and weaken the supports of
erosion is undermining the wall
3.
to injure, weaken, or impair, esp. by subtle, stealthy, or insidious means
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈweaken
Examples of 'undermine' in a sentence
undermine
We can't use criminal sanctions to undermine their position.
The Sun (2016)
We must ensure the press is protected, we can't use criminal sanctions to undermine their position.
The Sun (2016)
This is an experienced party that failed to meet the basic requirements of the law, and cases like this undermine voters' confidence.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We must not allow this position to be undermined or weakened.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There is evidence that the publicity surrounding some controversial tax cases has further undermined confidence in business.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
They undermine the belief systems that give meaning to human experience.
Herman, Judith Lewis Trauma and Recovery (1992)
It is not a breach or in any way an undermining of the constitution.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
No one working for me has sought to undermine his position.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Their plot is to undermine our confidence in the consumer society.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The trick is not to undermine the star system but to enhance it.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He seems to have a problem with this and finds ways to undermine me.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Projects you care about take off and no one can undermine your confidence.
The Sun (2010)
Many in government worry that such a system would undermine the incentive to save.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It also undermines confidence in the system.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It can have a catastrophic effect and undermine the whole system.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Although she is fully recovered it undermined her confidence.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This is important because stress can undermine the immune system and make you more prone to catching viruses.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It can be argued with great force that any other position can only undermine and compromise a free society.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGEMENT: task, responsibilities, practices (1974)
The data undermines government claims that it is becoming safer to cycle as increased numbers of cyclists take to the roads.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But the privileges of her position are constantly undermined by the humiliations heaped on her because of the colour of her skin.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The Taliban would struggle to come up with a more effective way of undermining morale.
The Sun (2012)
If the manager is undermined in any way, the arrangement is likely to come unstuck.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
We don't want to see any action taken to undermine his position.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Anything that undermines the way we live or upsets the planet's systems is not authentic.
David Boyle AUTHENTICITY: Brands, Fakes, Spin and the Lust for Real Life (2003)
To say any more at this stage could undermine her long-term position.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The figures also undermine government attempts to rebalance the economy towards manufacturing, with the number of people employed in that sector down 15,000 during the past year.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
undermine
British English: undermine VERB
If you undermine something such as a feeling or a system, you make it less strong or less secure than it was before, often by a gradual process or by repeated efforts.
Offering advice on each and every problem will undermine her feeling of being adult.