undermine

verb

un·​der·​mine ˌən-dər-ˈmīn 

ˈən-dər-ˌmīn

undermined; undermining; undermines

transitive verb

1

: to subvert or weaken insidiously or secretly

trying to undermine his political rivals

2

: to weaken or ruin by degrees

3

: to wash away supporting material from under

4

: to excavate the earth beneath : form a mine under : sap

Choose the Right Synonym for undermine

weaken, enfeeble, debilitate, undermine, sap, disable mean to lose or cause to lose strength or vigor.

weaken may imply loss of physical strength, health, soundness, or stability or of quality, intensity, or effective power.

a disease that weakens the body's defenses

enfeeble implies a condition of marked weakness and helplessness.

enfeebled by starvation

debilitate suggests a less marked or more temporary impairment of strength or vitality.

the debilitating effects of surgery

undermine and sap suggest a weakening by something working surreptitiously and insidiously.

a poor diet undermines your health

drugs had sapped his ability to think

disable suggests bringing about impairment or limitation in a physical or mental ability.

disabled by an injury sustained at work

Examples of undermine in a Sentence

She tried to undermine my authority by complaining about me to my boss.

The events of the past year have undermined people's confidence in the government.

Recent Examples on the Web

Your bombastic attacks on the free press are, at best, unflattering — and at worst, undermine a core tenet of democracy. —Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2025

Trump is undermining our economy with reckless tariffs, harsh cuts, and ICE agents terrorizing our communities. —Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025

While financial considerations obviously played a key role in the split, the diminished number of games that will be carried on NBA TV under the league’s new 11-year rights package is said to have undermined TNT’s interest in maintaining the partnership. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 June 2025

Justice Samuel Alito warned in his own concurrence against the CASA opinion being undermined by distortions of the class action and standing rules in future cases. —The Editors, National Review, 27 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Rhymes for undermine

• acridine
• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• atropine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine

Kids Definition

undermine

verb

un·​der·​mine ˌən-dər-ˈmīn 

1

: to dig out or wear away the earth beneath

undermine a wall

2

: to weaken or ruin secretly or gradually

undermine a government