undermining

[ uhn-der-mahy-ning ]

noun

1. the act or process of injuring, attacking, or destroying something or someone indirectly or by imperceptible degrees, often leading to a dramatic collapse:

   The undermining of Scottish Gaelic as a viable language resulted not from decrees, but from a gradual weakening of independent Scottish institutions.

2. the act or process of weakening something or causing it to collapse by removing its underlying support, as by erosion:

   During the heavy rains, blocked sewers caused the flooding of the basement and the undermining of the wall by water.

3. the act of digging or tunneling underneath something, as a military stronghold:

   The siege works were now close enough to allow the undermining of some of the bastions of the fortress.

adjective

1. weakening something or someone gradually or indirectly:

   Seating students in rows, so they cannot see each other’s faces, has an undermining effect on their engagement.

2. digging or tunneling underneath something, or removing or eroding its underlying support:

   The land along the shoreline collapsed because of undermining waves and currents.

Other Words From

• un·der·min·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of undermining¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; undermin(e) ( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun senses; undermin(e) ( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective senses

Example Sentences

They also argue the Commission needs to act now or it risks undermining its in-train reform of digital regulations — which is due to be lay out in draft form early next month.

From TechCrunch

Perdue and Loeffler are actively trying to undermine the election results by demanding the Republican secretary of state resign.

From Washington Post

This is a different kind of antitrust case, because it focuses on the allegedly improper use of data to maintain market position and undermine competition.

From Search Engine Land

The economic fallout from the novel coronavirus pandemic undermined plans this summer to sign at least two potential starters from overseas.

From Washington Post

For instance, he laments that the historic role of the press as a fact-checker has been undermined by political leaders who lie with impunity, as well as pressure within mainstream media outlets to attract viewers and website clicks.

From Washington Post

There are, of course, already tourists clotting Cuban beaches and hotels—many of which are chains—undermining “family values.”

From The Daily Beast

There is no question that undermining the financial foundations of ISIS is an important first step to rolling back the group.

From The Daily Beast

The emerging power dynamics in Yemen are undermining U.S. gains against Al Qaeda and strengthening ISIS.

From The Daily Beast

I am just so convinced that junk food and high sugar food are undermining the health of people…It caused a lot of strain.

From The Daily Beast

The song has been accused of reinforcing rape culture and the undermining of women.

From The Daily Beast

While the fortress was undermining at home, they were not idle, who were preparing to storm it from abroad.

From Project Gutenberg

It might have been fancied that Nature, dreading his bold spirit, adopted the plan of slowly undermining his bodily power.

From Project Gutenberg

In the midst of these efforts depreciation was undermining the strength and corrupting the moral sense of the community.

From Project Gutenberg

Except for the uprooting, the undermining influences of his war experience, he would have been revolted at his own actions.

From Project Gutenberg

Finally, the removal of prohibitions was undermining the smugglers.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• subversion