to undermine
8
6.8
- verb
- /ˌʌndərˈmaɪn/
:
socavar
- So Duo did not send his fleet to the West, fearing it would undermine his own gains.
- undermine the foundations
- undermine the basis
- undermine the fundamental
Examples
-
The roots of nearby trees are undermined, causing the trees to collapse into the raging waters.
Academic text (2003) -
It undermines the foundation.
-
Or, you know, it's undermined the very thing that it's set up to seek, which is greater connection with other people.
-
The difficulty lies in convincing the public that cheap fuel and food ultimately undermine the resource base.
Academic text (2001) -
The studies support the view that social rejection undermines a person's sense of purpose.
Academic text (2007) -
The first stage would have undermined the foundations of buildings and walls.
Academic text (2011) -
The long-standing wisdom that everyone wins in a single world market has been undermined.
Academic text (2009) -
Many private dwellings and commercial structures are at risk because of undermining along eroding tidal coasts.
Academic text (1991) -
After harvest, crawfish burrow beneath the water boxes, often undermining the dikes and the soil beneath the boxes.
Academic text (2013) -
Heavy rains can undermine the support of the bridge, leading to structural failure.
Synonyms
305
2.8
To make people and things less strong or effective
24
4.2
Gradually wear away rock and soil by water or wind
4
7.5
To hollow rock by water or strong wind
1
9.6
To dig under a wall or building to make it weak
Antonyms
Phrasal Verbs
How Severe
8
6.8
8
4.0
- Specialized
1
6.8
2
3.8
18
4.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
The word undermine comes from under + mine, where mine means 'to dig a tunnel', just like miners dig in a mine. In old wars people dug tunnels under walls to make them fall, so to undermine something is to make a hollow under it and threaten its support.