What does "undermine" mean?
To dig underneath (something), to make a passage for destructive or military purposes; to sap.
Undermine
/ˌʌn.dəˈmaɪn/ verb
verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: To dig underneath (something), to make a passage for destructive or military purposes; to sap.
- Grammar: undermine is listed as verb.
- Nearest alternatives: subvert, weaken, abate, active tearing.
- Useful contrasts: advantaged, benign influence, bombproof.
- Usage evidence: Many fear that cuts in the defense budget will undermine the military's effectiveness.
How to use "undermine"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "undermine" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "undermine" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "undermine" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "undermine" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "undermine" is acting as verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "subvert" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "undermine", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Verb
- 1 To dig underneath (something), to make a passage for destructive or military purposes; to sap.
"Martin, for instance, had on one occasion undermined a tree sacred to old gods, then stood in the path of its fall, but forced it to fall elsewhere by making the sign of the Cross."
- 2 hollow out as if making a cave or opening wordnet
- 3 To weaken or work against; to hinder, sabotage. figuratively
"The war efforts were undermined by the constant bickering between the allies."
- 4 destroy property or hinder normal operations wordnet
- 5 To erode the base or foundation of something, e.g. by the action of water.
"Services between Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh Waverley via Falkirk High are currently suspended, following a 30-metre breach of the Union Canal that occurred on August 12 after torrential rain and thunderstorms. The thousands of gallons of water that cascaded onto the railway line below washed away track, ballast and overhead line equipment, and undermined embankments along a 300-metre section of Scotland's busiest rail link."
Show 1 more definition
- 6 To regard an object as the sum of the parts that compose it, in object-oriented ontology.
"We can even go further: when we consider an object in everyday life we do not usually just undermine or overmine it as if it demanded an either/or approach, but rather we run the two processes in tandem: duomining, as Harman labels it."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Many fear that cuts in the defense budget will undermine the military's effectiveness."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "undermine"?
Common synonyms include: subvert, weaken, abate, active tearing, afflicting, ail.
How do you use "undermine" in a sentence?
Many fear that cuts in the defense budget will undermine the military's effectiveness.
How do you pronounce "undermine"?
Pronounced /ˌʌn.dəˈmaɪn/.
Etymology
From under- + mine.