undermine

Meanings

• Verb

  To weaken or destroy the foundation or support of something, especially in a subtle or indirect way.

  - "The company's competitors kept trying to undermine its market share."
  - "His constant criticism undermined her confidence."

• Verb

  To act in a way that weakens someone's position or authority.

  - "The politician's opponents tried to undermine his credibility."
  - "His actions undermined the trust between us."

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Pronunciation

1. 
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1770090"

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Antonyms

undergird

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with undermine
ermine , urnine , chalice

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Variants

List of all variants of undermine that leads to same result
undermine , undermined , undermines , undermining

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Originally meant 'to dig under' or 'to mine under'.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The term 'undermine' is also used in mining to refer to a tunnel dug beneath an opponent's mine to weaken its support.

2. In the game of chess, a 'pawn undermining' refers to a pawn moving to a square that puts pressure on an opponent's piece, potentially leading to its capture.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. subterfuge: The use of indirect or deceptive methods to achieve a goal.

2. sabotage: The deliberate damage or destruction of property or equipment, especially as a political act.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

In literature, 'undermine' is often used metaphorically to describe the subtle erosion of trust, confidence, or authority.

How to Memorize "undermine"

1. visualize
   

   - Visualize a house with a weak foundation, and imagine the ground being slowly eroded away, causing the house to sink.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'undermine' with the image of a mouse gnawing away at a piece of cheese, slowly wearing it down.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Remember the phrase 'under mind' to help remember the meaning of 'undermine'.

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