Undermining
/ˌʌndərˈmaɪnɪŋ/
Definitions
To damage or weaken someone or something, often in a gradual or subtle way.
/ˌʌndərˈmaɪn/
To damage or weaken, especially gradually or insidiously.
The scandal undermined his reputation.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're slowly poking holes in a sandcastle. Undermining is like that, but to someone's confidence or a plan. It means to weaken or damage something over time. Like if you always tell your friend they're not good at things, you're undermining their self-esteem.
👶 For kids: To make something weaker and less strong, like taking away the bottom of a sandcastle so it falls down.
More Examples
He felt his colleagues were trying to undermine his authority.
Constant stress can undermine your health.
How It's Used
"The opposition is trying to undermine the government's policies."
"Constant criticism can undermine a person's self-confidence."
"The flood undermined the foundations of the building."
From Middle English underminen, from under- (beneath) + minen (to dig, from Old English minan).
The word has been used since the 14th century to describe a literal action of digging under a fortification or structure to weaken it.
Memory tip
Imagine digging underneath the foundation of a building – you're undermining it.
Word Origin
"under- (beneath) + minen (to dig)"