undermine
8 synonyms and 1 antonym for undermine, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To weaken support or confidence gradually, often secretly.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use undermine
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
undermine confidence
undermine authority
undermine efforts
Etymology
From under- plus mine, originally meaning to dig a tunnel beneath a wall to bring it down.
Full origin of undermine →Frequently asked questions
What does “undermine” mean?
The word “undermine” means to weaken support or confidence gradually, often secretly. In plain terms, to weaken something bit by bit, often without it being obvious at first.
How do you pronounce “undermine”?
“Undermine” is pronounced uhn-duh-MYN (/ˌʌn.dɚˈmaɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “undermine” in a sentence?
Here is “undermine” used in a sentence: “Constant criticism undermined her confidence.”
What is the opposite of “undermine”?
The opposite of “undermine” — its antonyms — is undergird.
What part of speech is “undermine”?
“Undermine” is a verb.
Is “undermine” a common word?
“Undermine” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “undermine” have?
“Undermine” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to weaken support or confidence gradually, often secretly.
What is the difference between undermine and sabotage?
Undermine typically means to weaken support or confidence gradually, often secretly, through a slow, ongoing process, while sabotage usually implies a more deliberate, direct act of damage or disruption. Undermining is often subtler and cumulative compared to a single act of sabotage.
What is the difference between undermine and undercut?
Undermine emphasizes a gradual, often hidden weakening of support or confidence, while undercut more often implies directly reducing someone's position, price, or authority in a more immediate way. Both can describe damaging someone's standing, but undermine leans toward slow erosion.
What are common things people say are undermined?
Undermine is frequently paired with words like confidence, authority, trust, and credibility, describing the gradual weakening of these things. It can also be used literally, as in water undermining the foundation of a building.
