Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
underparts
underpass
underperform
underpin
underpinning
underplay
underplot
underprice
underprivileged
underproof
underprop
underquote
underrate
underreport
underrepresent
underrun
undersaturated
Click to move down the list of words
Also available:

World English Dictionary
Dictionnaire Français

undermine

un·der·mine [ ùndər mn, úndər mn ] (past and past participle un·der·mined, present participle un·der·min·ing, 3rd person present singular un·der·mines)


transitive verb 
Definition:
 
1. erode something: to weaken something by removing or wearing away material from its base or from beneath it
The chalk cliffs are being gradually undermined by the waves.

2. weaken something gradually: to diminish or weaken something gradually
undermined her confidence

3. subvert somebody or something: to weaken, discredit, or destroy somebody or something by covert and malicious action
The leaked memos undermined the administration's credibility.

4. tunnel under something: to dig a tunnel underneath something, especially a fortification, in order to plant explosives or make it collapse

Advertisement

© 2009 Microsoft