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Undermine
To weaken, damage, or undercut something, especially gradually or covertly.
verb💡
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'.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The constant scandals undermined public trust in the government.
- Her colleagues warned that the new policy would undermine the company's ethical standards.
Synonyms
weakensubvertsabotageundercuterode
Antonyms
strengthenbolstersupport
Etymology
From under- (beneath) + mine (a tunnel dug to hollow out or undermine). The figurative sense developed in the early modern period.
Mnemonic
Under mine: imagine a tunnel being dug beneath a building; the base is weakened and the structure is undermined.
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verbTo publicly support or defend a cause, policy, or proposal. As a noun, a person who publicly supports or defends a cause, or a lawyer.
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Abscond
verbTo depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.
Absolve
verbTo free someone from blame or responsibility; to pardon or exonerate.
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