undercut

1 of 2

verb

un·​der·​cut ˌən-dər-ˈkət How to pronounce undercut (audio)
undercut; undercutting

transitive verb

1
: to cut away the underpart of
undercut a vein of ore
2
: to cut away material from the underside of (an object) so as to leave an overhanging portion in relief
3
: to offer to sell at lower prices than or to work for lower wages than (a competitor)
4
: to cut obliquely into (a tree) below the main cut and on the side toward which the tree will fall
5
: to strike (a ball) with a downward glancing blow so as to give a backspin or elevation to the shot
6
: to undermine or destroy the force, value, or effectiveness of
inflation undercuts consumer buying power

intransitive verb

: to perform the action of cutting away beneath

undercut

2 of 2

noun

un·​der·​cut ˈən-dər-ˌkət How to pronounce undercut (audio)
1
British : tenderloin sense 1
2
: the action or result of cutting away from the underside or lower part of something
3
: a notch cut in the base of a tree before felling to determine the direction of falling and to prevent splitting

Examples of undercut in a Sentence

Verb They undercut the competing store by 10 percent. a law that undercuts the Constitution Her behavior undercuts her own credibility.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
How has that undercut America’s legitimacy in this work around the world? Bill McKibben, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 Still, Israeli officials have worked to undercut UNRWA’s ability to function, freezing the agency’s bank account and temporarily blocking a shipment of flour destined for Gaza at an Israeli port last month. Claire Parker, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 The plot about an attempt to filch a special gobstopper is, of course, lifted directly from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971), in which another candy maker named Slugworth seeks to undercut his competition. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 29 Feb. 2024 Regardless, Smirnov’s indictment significantly undercut Republicans’ arguments that Joe Biden was improperly involved in Hunter Biden’s business dealings. USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2024 The dissemination of attacks on Biden is part of a continuing effort by Moscow to undercut American military aid to Ukraine and U.S. support for and solidarity with NATO, experts said. Kevin Collier, NBC News, 26 Feb. 2024 Children sheltering from overhead threats have spent 3,800 to 4,500 hours — up to half a year — underground, undercutting their education and leaving them at significant risk of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Sarah Ferguson, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 China then sold finished goods back to the region, undercutting local manufacturers. Shannon K. O’Neil, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 Their efforts will undercut any hostage release or moderate Arab efforts to end the Gaza war without a victory by Hamas. Trudy Rubin, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2024
Noun
This dramatic style features an ultra-short undercut on one side, while letting the other side skim long down the face. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2024 In a letter to its fleet, Trident blamed a saturated market, Russian undercuts and inflation for the price. Christina McDermott, Anchorage Daily News, 11 Aug. 2023 Youngsters sit in his chair asking for undercuts — long on the top, short on the bottom. Haeven Gibbons, Dallas News, 31 May 2023 Swinton's undercut was tapered and faded at the sides as the strands directly above the crown cuffed inward with great length. Chelsea Avila, Allure, 6 Dec. 2022 Lee Rosbach glances disapprovingly at the waiter, who sports a severe undercut. Meredith Blakestaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2022 Siwa’s new undercut evokes Holtzmann in Ghostbusters: Answer the Call, Cameron Esposito and Natalie Dormer in their half-hair eras, and of course, Spider-Gwen. Vulture, 7 Apr. 2022 Matt Ryan dropped back, maneuvered around pressure and fired a 5-yard throw in Pittman Jr.'s direction that Steelers cornerback James Pierre undercut for an interception. Nate Atkins, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Dec. 2022 With Leclerc leading, Verstappen undercut for quicker tires. Jerome Pugmire, ajc, 31 July 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'undercut.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of undercut was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near undercut

Cite this Entry

“Undercut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undercut. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

undercut

1 of 2 verb
un·​der·​cut ˌən-dər-ˈkət How to pronounce undercut (audio)
undercut; undercutting
1
: to cut away the underpart of something or material beneath something
2
: to offer to sell at lower prices than or to work for lower wages than
undercut a competitor
3
: to strike so as to give a backspin or height to the shot
a tennis player undercutting the ball

undercut

2 of 2 noun
un·​der·​cut ˈən-dər-ˌkət How to pronounce undercut (audio)
: the action or result of undercutting

Medical Definition

undercut

noun
un·​der·​cut ˈən-dər-ˌkət How to pronounce undercut (audio)
: the part of a tooth lying between the gum and the points of maximum outward bulge on the tooth's surfaces

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