undermine
gb/ˈʌndɚmˌaɪn/ us/ˈʌndɚmˌaɪn/
B2
English
~ 3700
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
Weaken authority or confidence
To slowly make someone less strong, less confident, or less powerful.
Usage pattern:
to undermine [someone's/something's] [authority/confidence/position]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'undermine' with 'underline', which has a completely different meaning (to emphasize something).
Synonyms
weaken (A more general term that can refer to physical or non-physical weakening.)
|
erode (Suggests a slow, gradual loss of strength or influence.)
Antonyms
strengthen (Means to make stronger or more effective.)
Collocations
undermine confidence
|undermine authority
|undermine trust
|undermine credibility
Themes
business
|politics
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- His constant criticism began to undermine her self-esteem.
- The scandal could undermine public trust in the government.
- These actions are likely to undermine the company's long-term success.
- Rumors about the CEO's conduct undermined investor confidence.
- Negative media coverage undermined his chances of re-election.
Learner examples
- Her words undermine my confidence.
- Bad news can undermine the team spirit.
- Lies will undermine our friendship.
- Criticism can undermine a child's happiness.
Verb
B2
action
2
Damage base or foundation
To make the bottom part of something weak so it may fall or break.
Usage pattern:
to undermine [a structure/a wall]
Synonyms
erode (Especially common when referring to soil, rock, or other physical materials being worn away.)
|
sap (Literary or formal term meaning to gradually weaken physical structure.)
Antonyms
reinforce (Means to make a structure stronger or more stable.)
Collocations
undermine a building
|undermine a wall
|undermine stability
Themes
construction
|nature
|housing
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Flooding has undermined the foundations of several houses.
- The river's current gradually undermined the bank.
- Burrowing animals can undermine roads and paths.
- Erosion from heavy rains undermined the bridge supports.
Learner examples
- Water can undermine a wall.
- The river undermined the bank.
- Rats undermined the floor of the shed.
Grammar
Dictionary form
undermine
IPA
GB/ˈʌndɚmˌaɪn/
US/ˈʌndɚmˌaɪn/
Syllables & stress
un - der - mine (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (un)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: undermine
- 3rd Person Singular: undermines
- Present Participle: undermining
- Past: undermined
Word family
Forms
undermines
verb
undermining
verb
undermined
verb
Negative and opposite forms
support
verb A2
strengthen
verb B1
Advanced or less common
underminer
noun
Expressions
undermine confidence in
1/ˈʌndɚmˌaɪn kˈɑnfədəns ˈɪn/
fixed phrase
Reduce belief or trust in something
To slowly make people trust someone or something less.
Examples
- The data leak has undermined confidence in the company.
- False reports can undermine confidence in science.
undermine someone's authority
1/ˈʌndɚmˌaɪn sˈʌmwˌʌnz əθˈɔɹɪti/
fixed phrase
Reduce someone's power over others
To slowly take away someone's power to control people or decisions.
Examples
- Speaking over your boss in meetings can undermine their authority.
- The teacher felt that the principal's decision undermined her authority in class.
undermine the foundation of
1/ˈʌndɚmˌaɪn ðə faʊndˈeɪʃən əv/
fixed phrase
Weaken basic support of something
To make the basic part or main idea of something weaker.
Examples
- Corruption can undermine the foundation of democracy.
- Heavy rains undermined the foundation of the old bridge.