Undermine
/ˌʌndərˈmaɪn/
Definitions
To damage or weaken someone or something, especially gradually or insidiously.
/ˌʌndərˈmaɪn/
To gradually weaken or damage someone or something, often in a secret or sneaky way.
The constant criticism from his boss undermined his confidence.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone is trying to secretly sabotage your sandcastle by taking away the sand under it - that's what undermining is like. They are trying to weaken your work.
👶 For kids: To make something weaker and less strong, like when you dig under the ground to make something fall.
More Examples
The leaks of classified information undermined the government's authority.
Years of neglect had undermined the structural integrity of the building.
How It's Used
"The scandal undermined the president's credibility."
"Constant criticism can undermine a child's self-esteem."
"The company was undermined by internal conflicts."
Idioms & expressions
undermine someone's confidence
To weaken someone's belief in their own abilities.
"His negative comments undermined her confidence in her ability to succeed."
undermine someone's authority
To diminish or weaken the power or control of a person in a position of authority.
"Disobeying the rules undermined the teacher's authority in the classroom."
From Middle French *miner* (to dig a mine, sap) + *under-*, from Old English *under*. Originally referred to the military practice of digging tunnels beneath fortifications to weaken them.
Originally referred to the military practice of digging tunnels under fortifications to weaken them before an attack. The word's usage has broadened over time to include more abstract concepts like undermining confidence or authority.
Memory tip
Imagine digging under a wall; you're slowly weakening it. This word means weakening something or someone in a sneaky way.
Word Origin
"to dig a mine, sap"