un·der·cut
ˌən-dər-ˈkət 
undercut; undercutting
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
: to perform the action of cutting away beneath
un·der·cut
ˈən-dər-ˌkət
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
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2023
But in most ways, the French conductor undercuts what feels like the current zeitgeist of tyrannical maestros.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 23 Sep. 2023
But this emphasis on health and development was undercut by other U.S. preoccupations, notably counterterrorism.
—Foreign Affairs, 20 Sep. 2023
Still, Willy Shih, an expert on manufacturing at Harvard Business School, said the automakers could adjust their operations in ways that undercut the U.A.W. while continuing to produce cars domestically.
—Noam Scheiber, New York Times, 19 Sep. 2023
The charges filed Tuesday by prosecutors in Washington undercut that assertion.
—Alan Feuer, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Sep. 2023
So doesn’t that undercut your entire argument that there are two systems of justice in this country?
—NBC News, 17 Sep. 2023
At various points, Mr. Buzbee suggested that the impeachment was a plot by the Bush political dynasty in Texas to undercut an attorney general who has been a national champion for conservative causes.
—J. David Goodman, New York Times, 17 Sep. 2023
But non-unionized foreign and domestic competition has undercut the US auto industry and eroded UAW jobs and benefits in recent years.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 17 Sep. 2023
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
The Internet basically stopped when dancer Jojo Siwa chopped off her signature high pony into a pixie with an undercut in early April.
—Gabi Thorne, Allure, 27 July 2022
See More
Verb
The best example, Khan pointed out, involved the efforts by major book publishers to counteract Amazon’s policy, rolled out in 2007, of pricing bestseller ebooks at $9.99, undercutting the publishers’ hardcover and ebook prices.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2023
But in most ways, the French conductor undercuts what feels like the current zeitgeist of tyrannical maestros.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 23 Sep. 2023
But this emphasis on health and development was undercut by other U.S. preoccupations, notably counterterrorism.
—Foreign Affairs, 20 Sep. 2023
Still, Willy Shih, an expert on manufacturing at Harvard Business School, said the automakers could adjust their operations in ways that undercut the U.A.W. while continuing to produce cars domestically.
—Noam Scheiber, New York Times, 19 Sep. 2023
The charges filed Tuesday by prosecutors in Washington undercut that assertion.
—Alan Feuer, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Sep. 2023
So doesn’t that undercut your entire argument that there are two systems of justice in this country?
—NBC News, 17 Sep. 2023
At various points, Mr. Buzbee suggested that the impeachment was a plot by the Bush political dynasty in Texas to undercut an attorney general who has been a national champion for conservative causes.
—J. David Goodman, New York Times, 17 Sep. 2023
But non-unionized foreign and domestic competition has undercut the US auto industry and eroded UAW jobs and benefits in recent years.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 17 Sep. 2023
Noun
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
The Internet basically stopped when dancer Jojo Siwa chopped off her signature high pony into a pixie with an undercut in early April.
—Gabi Thorne, Allure, 27 July 2022
See More
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
Articles Related to undercut
Dictionary Entries Near undercut
Cite this Entry
“Undercut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undercut. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
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Kids Definition
undercut
1 of 2 verb
un·der·cut
ˌən-dər-ˈkət
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
: the action or result of undercutting
Medical Definition
undercut
noun
un·der·cut
ˈən-dər-ˌkət
: 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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