English Dictionary

Define dictionary terms easily in our powerful online English dictionary.

Searching for...

No matching words found

Try a different search term or browse the dictionary

Definition undermine in British English

undermine verb

[transitive] verb
/ˌʌndə(r)ˈmaɪn/

▪ authority, confidence, credibility, legitimacy, morale, position, stability

1

to make something or someone become gradually less effective, confident, or successful

Example

Their trading position has been seriously undermined by the minister's remarks.

Synonyms and related words
1.1

to deliberately say or do things that make someone appear less impressive or less important

Example

They had spoken secretly to journalists in an effort to undermine the leadership.

Synonyms and related words
2

to dig under something, especially so that it becomes weaker

Synonyms and related words
Definition undermine in British English