undermine

/,ʌndə'main/
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undermine

The constant rain began to undermine the foundation of the old stone wall.

Definition
  1. Verb:
    • To weaken or damage something gradually or secretly: "Undermine" means to make something less strong or less secure, often in a hidden or indirect way.
    • To dig or wear away the ground beneath something: Literally, it can mean to erode or remove the supporting material from under a structure.
Usage
  • The primary use of "undermine" is to describe the act of weakening authority, confidence, health, or a structure, often insidiously.
  • It is a transitive verb and requires an object (e.g., undermine ).
Examples
  • Verb:
    • Constant criticism can undermine a person's self-confidence.
    • The scandal undermined the government's credibility.
    • Water has undermined the foundations of the old house.
Advanced Usage
  • "to undermine efforts": to weaken or sabotage attempts to achieve something.
    • His negative attitude undermined the team's efforts to improve morale.
  • "to undermine authority": to weaken the power or legitimacy of a person or institution.
    • Spreading rumors is a common tactic to undermine a leader's authority.
Variants and Related Words
  • Undermining (gerund/noun): The process or act of weakening something.
    • The constant undermining of the rules led to chaos.
  • Underminer (noun): A person who undermines.
    • He was seen as a dangerous underminer within the organization.
Synonyms
  • Weaken: To make less strong.
  • Sabotage: To deliberately destroy or damage.
  • Erode: To gradually wear away.
  • Subvert: To undermine the power and authority of an established system.
Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Undermine" itself does not commonly form phrasal verbs. The action is typically expressed by the verb alone.)

Related Idioms
  • "To cut the ground from under someone's feet": This idiom is similar in meaning to "undermine," meaning to weaken someone's position by secret or indirect means.
    • By releasing the data early, they cut the ground from under their competitor's feet.
undermine

The constant rain began to undermine the foundation of the old stone wall.

Verb
  1. hollow out as if making a cave or opening
    • The river was caving the banks
  2. destroy property or hinder normal operations
    • The Resistance sabotaged railroad operations during the war

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