undermine one another

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undermine one another" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two or more parties weaken or damage each other's efforts or positions. Example: "In a competitive environment, team members who undermine one another can jeopardize the overall success of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

For nearly seven decades, Israelis and Palestinians have been marred with delusions and denial, planning and plotting to undermine one another instead of building human bridges and coming to accept their shared destiny.

Huffington Post

In their efforts to "influence the president and undermine" one another, Bannon, Priebus and Kushner created a kind of "paralysis" within the White House that led each of the advisers to turn to the media, Wolff writes.

Huffington Post

Now we have a problem: The strategies of different groups to leverage city locations to their own advantage undermine one another.

Forbes

In a team, you have each other's back, you don't undermine one another and you openly cherish each other in front of others.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

To call the disparate intelligence bureaucracies a community suggests that they share a collegial spirit, but throughout their history these organizations have been brutally competitive, undermining one another and even hoarding vital information.

The New Yorker

Lewis et al. [ 42] suggest that behaviour change occurs when couples think about their relationship and co-operate to achieve positive outcomes rather than undermining one another's efforts, with a shift from being mainly self-centred to seeing health outcomes as meaningful for the couple.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

And, specifically, whether the vote to turn our back on Europe could fatally undermine one of Britain's few remaining successful exports.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many authors such as Locke (1690) and Grunebaum (1987)—deny that the rights over oneself are so transferable, typically on the ground that such transfers undermine one's autonomy.

SEP

On the other hand, negative social messages also has the potential to undermine one's beliefs about ability.

Asia-Pacific Science Education

Thus, he is willing to undermine one of the most precious tenets of our country.

The New York Times

But there was little interest in encountering solid arguments that might undermine one's own position.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "undermine one another", ensure the context clearly indicates a reciprocal action where multiple parties are negatively affecting each other. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "undermine one another" when the action is not mutual or reciprocal. If only one party is being undermined, use "undermine someone/something" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undermine one another" functions as a reciprocal verb phrase, indicating a mutual action where parties involved are weakening or damaging each other. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable and correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "undermine one another" effectively describes a reciprocal action where multiple parties weaken or damage each other's efforts. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. While versatile, it's important to ensure the context clearly indicates a mutual action to avoid misinterpretation. As evidenced by the provided examples from sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, this phrase appears most frequently in news, science and professional discussions, making it a valuable addition to your vocabulary in various communication contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sabotage each other

Emphasizes intentional damage or disruption of each other's efforts.

weaken each other

Focuses on the reduction of strength or effectiveness in a reciprocal manner.

erode each other

Suggests a gradual and insidious process of wearing down mutual trust or support.

destabilize each other

Highlights the disruption of stability or equilibrium in a mutual relationship.

counteract one another

Focuses on opposing or neutralizing each other's actions or effects.

hinder each other's progress

Specifically relates to impeding advancement or development.

obstruct each other

Emphasizes the act of blocking or impeding mutual actions or goals.

thwart each other

Suggests actively preventing each other from achieving goals.

damage their mutual interests

Highlights the harm caused to shared benefits or objectives.

work against each other

Focuses on actively opposing each other's efforts or objectives.

FAQs

How can I use "undermine one another" in a sentence?

You can use "undermine one another" to describe situations where multiple parties are weakening each other's efforts or positions. For instance, "Constant disagreements can undermine the team's ability to succeed".

What are some alternatives to "undermine one another"?

Alternatives include "sabotage each other", "weaken each other", or "erode each other", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "undermine each other" or "undermine one another"?

"Undermine each other" and "undermine one another" are often used interchangeably, but "one another" is typically preferred when referring to more than two entities, whereas "each other" is often used for two entities. However, in modern usage, the distinction is often blurred.

What does it mean when strategies "undermine one another"?

When strategies "undermine one another", it means that the actions taken to achieve different goals are conflicting or counterproductive, ultimately weakening the overall effectiveness of each strategy.