Undermine
To weaken, damage, or undercut something, especially gradually or covertly.
verbUndermine
To weaken, damage, or undercut something, especially gradually or covertly.
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Imagine This
Picture a fortress standing firm. Secret tunnels are being dug beneath its walls. Over time, the weight above is no longer supported, and the fortress begins to crumble from below without anyone realizing who caused it.
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Sounds Like
uhn-DER-mine
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Looks Like
Under + mine (a mine located under something)
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Remember This
Literal sense: to mine under something. Figurative use: to erode someone's authority, confidence, or system by covert means.
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Other Forms
underminedverb (past tense)
underminesverb (present)
underminingverb (gerund/participle)
underminernoun
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Connect With
weaken, subvert, sabotage, undercut, erode
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Note
Often used with abstract nouns like authority, confidence, or credibility. Not to be confused with 'undone' or 'undergo'.