Undermine

Quick meaning: Undermine is a verb meaning To dig underneath (something), to make a passage for destructive or military purposes; to sap.

Meaning

To dig underneath (something), to make a passage for destructive or military purposes; to sap.

More Meanings

1. (figuratively) To weaken or work against; to hinder, sabotage.
2. To erode the base or foundation of something, e.g. by the action of water.
3. (philosophy) To regard an object as the sum of the parts that compose it, in object-oriented ontology.

Example Sentences

The war efforts were undermined by the constant bickering between the allies.

The 'partygate' controversy has played a major part in undermining the credibility of Boris Johnson and his Government and has led to calls from senior MPs for him to resign.

Martin, for instance, had on one occasion undermined a tree sacred to old gods, then stood in the path of its fall, but forced it to fall elsewhere by making the sign of the Cross.

The penile mishaps (one involving a bristled toothbrush), severings (one involves hungry ducks) and surgeries cited by Ms. Roach are nothing if not memorable, but her book consistently undermines its own discoveries.

Word Forms

• undermines
• undermining
• undermined

Synonyms for undermine

Depending on context, synonyms include corrode, undercut, subvert, counteract, cave, sabotage.

Antonyms for undermine

Common opposites include undergird.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include sabotage, subvert, counteract, weaken, countermine, cave.

Related Dictionary Tools