undermine
gb/ˈʌndɚmˌaɪn/ us/ˈʌndɚmˌaɪn/
B2
Anglais
~ 3700
Sens
0 sens
Verbe
B2
action
1
Weaken authority or confidence
To slowly make someone less strong, less confident, or less powerful.
Schéma d’usage :
to undermine [someone's/something's] [authority/confidence/position]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'undermine' with 'underline', which has a completely different meaning (to emphasize something).
Synonymes
weaken (A more general term that can refer to physical or non-physical weakening.)
|
erode (Suggests a slow, gradual loss of strength or influence.)
Antonymes
strengthen (Means to make stronger or more effective.)
Collocations
undermine confidence
|undermine authority
|undermine trust
|undermine credibility
Thèmes
business
|politics
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Her words undermine my confidence.
- Bad news can undermine the team spirit.
- Lies will undermine our friendship.
- Criticism can undermine a child's happiness.
Verbe
B2
action
2
Damage base or foundation
To make the bottom part of something weak so it may fall or break.
Schéma d’usage :
to undermine [a structure/a wall]
Synonymes
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.)
Antonymes
reinforce (Means to make a structure stronger or more stable.)
Collocations
undermine a building
|undermine a wall
|undermine stability
Thèmes
construction
|nature
|housing
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Water can undermine a wall.
- The river undermined the bank.
- Rats undermined the floor of the shed.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
undermine
API
GB/ˈʌndɚmˌaɪn/
US/ˈʌndɚmˌaɪn/
Syllabes et accentuation
un - der - mine (3 syllabes)
Stress on 1st syllable (un)
Formes du mot
Verb
- Base: undermine
- 3rd Person Singular: undermines
- Present Participle: undermining
- Past: undermined
Famille de mots
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.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- Corruption can undermine the foundation of democracy.
- Heavy rains undermined the foundation of the old bridge.