undermine
verb
un·der·mine
ˌən-dər-ˈmīn 
ˈən-dər-ˌmīn
undermined; undermining; undermines
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
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
Without them, distrust and disrespect undermine the actions.
—
John S. Tobey, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
The liberation of the leaves will undermine the black-market trade and reduce deforestation by freeing for cultivation lands long ago cleared and abandoned.
—Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
Critics say the delay undermines national security and legal precedent, while others welcome the reprieve.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
That includes Mark Baker, who says a strong anti-US sentiment has taken hold within Canada, and undermined Starlink sales, even though the product itself has been great.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for undermine
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John S. Tobey, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
The liberation of the leaves will undermine the black-market trade and reduce deforestation by freeing for cultivation lands long ago cleared and abandoned.
—Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
Critics say the delay undermines national security and legal precedent, while others welcome the reprieve.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
That includes Mark Baker, who says a strong anti-US sentiment has taken hold within Canada, and undermined Starlink sales, even though the product itself has been great.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for undermine
Cite this Entry
“Undermine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undermine. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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