undermine

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "undermine" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe an act or process that weakens or undermines something, such as a person's trust or confidence, for example: His consistent bad behavior undermined her trust in him.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The loyalist institution appealed for a peaceful response to the decision: "Any violence will only undermine our cause.

The Guardian

Iran: Putin insisted lifting a five-year embargo on the delivery of air defence missiles to Iran did not undermine international sanctions since the Russian ban was voluntary.

The Guardian

He has used the many attacks on him – not least from the European commission – to justify what critics correctly see as a comprehensive attempt to undermine checks and balances, and remake the entire country in the image of one political party.

The Guardian - Opinion

On Thursday, the Russian president, Vladmir Putin, accused the US of meddling in a bid to undermine the 2018 World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

Iran's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, also poured derision on the Republican letter in a statement expressing astonishment that members of Congress would seek to undermine a US administration by writing directly to a foreign power, and suggesting that the letter's authors had much to learn about international and even US law.

The Guardian

Information goods undermine economic systems based on scarcity.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said he had concerns about the arrests, that they may constitute a "possible miscarriage of justice" and that they were "undoubtedly being used to undermine Sinn Fein's contribution to the peace process in Ireland".

The Guardian

With republicans also facing allegations that they were behind the Special Branch office break-in in Castlereagh police station on St Patrick's night and that a list was being compiled containing the details of British politicians, Mr Adams claimed the party was under attack from elements within British military intelligence to undermine its role in the peace process.

The Guardian

Britain's most senior auditor, who set up a judge-led review into the "sweetheart" multimillion-pound tax deals between HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and corporations, appeared to undermine the process before it began by telling the country's most senior tax official that the inquiry would find "nothing of substance".

The Guardian

UDI challenged the authority of the crown and parliament and Wilson's government took steps - mainly sanctions - to undermine the Smith regime.

The Guardian

Since 2010 the government has enjoyed a parliamentary super-majority which it has used to undermine the independence of the judiciary, the power of the constitutional court and media freedom and pluralism, as well as to gain control over state institutions".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "undermine" to describe actions that gradually weaken something, like trust or authority. For example, "Constant criticism can undermine a person's confidence."

Common error

Avoid using "undermine" when describing an immediate or direct act of destruction. "Undermine" implies a gradual weakening, not an instantaneous demolition.

Linguistic Context

Undermine functions primarily as a transitive verb. It describes the action of weakening or diminishing something, often gradually or subtly. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in contexts ranging from political strategies to personal relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "undermine" is a versatile verb used to describe the act of gradually weakening or diminishing something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in News & Media contexts. When writing, it's best to use "undermine" to depict subtle or gradual erosion, not direct destruction. Alternatives include "weaken", "erode", and "sabotage", each carrying slightly different nuances. Ensure that you use "undermine" to reflect its meaning of subtle and gradual weakening, aligning with the numerous real-world examples provided by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weaken

Focuses on the reduction of strength or effectiveness, a more general term than "undermine".

erode

Implies a gradual wearing away, often used in the context of intangible things like trust or support.

sabotage

Suggests deliberate action to damage or obstruct something, emphasizing intent.

subvert

Indicates an attempt to overthrow or corrupt something established, often related to authority or power.

impair

Highlights the reduction in quality or function, often used in technical or medical contexts.

compromise

Suggests a weakening due to concessions or exposure to risk.

damage

A broad term indicating harm or injury, less specific than "undermine".

hamper

Implies obstruction or delay, often used in the context of progress or activity.

cripple

Indicates severe damage that makes something ineffective, emphasizing the extent of the harm.

vitiate

Signifies spoiling or weakening the quality or effectiveness of something.

FAQs

How to use "undermine" in a sentence?

You can use "undermine" to describe actions that weaken or erode something, such as "His constant lies began to "undermine her trust"".

What can I say instead of "undermine"?

You can use alternatives like "weaken", "erode", or "sabotage" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "undermine" or "under mine"?

"Undermine" is a single word that means to weaken or erode. "Under mine" is a phrase meaning beneath a mine, and is rarely used.

What's the difference between "undermine" and "sabotage"?

"Undermine" suggests a gradual weakening, while "sabotage" implies a deliberate act to damage or obstruct something.