easy
A rude comment can undermine someone's confidence.
What does Undermine mean?
Undermine means to weaken from underneath or in a hidden way.
Dictionary definition
To undermine means to weaken something slowly or indirectly, such as confidence, support, or an argument.
Example sentences
Undermine in a sentence
medium
Weak evidence can undermine the main claim in an essay.
hard
The character's secret choices began to undermine the trust that the group had built.
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Undermine
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does undermine mean?
Undermine means to weaken support, confidence, trust, or strength over time or indirectly.
Practice 2
Which word is closest in meaning to undermine?
To undermine something is to weaken it.
Practice 3
Which word is a useful contrast for undermine?
Strengthen means make stronger, while undermine means weaken.
Practice complete
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Undermine
Voice settings
Sounds like
un · der · myn · strongest beat: myn
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordUndermine.
Partverb.
MeaningUndermine means to weaken from underneath or in a hidden way.
ExampleExample: A rude comment can undermine someone's confidence.
Word breakdown
3 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- un · der · myn
- Strongest beat
- myn
- Ending
- myn
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on myn.
Your turn
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Synonyms
Words like Undermine
Antonyms
Opposite words
supportUse when helping or strengthening something.
strengthenUse when making something stronger.
build upUse when increasing support or confidence.
Synonym practice
Want to practice undermine synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "Skipping practice can undermine the team's progress," then compare close word choices. Practice undermine synonyms.
Word family
Undermine word family
Base word
mine
verb
undermine
To weaken slowly or indirectly.
verb
undermines
Weakens slowly or indirectly.
verb
undermined
Weakened slowly or indirectly.
verb
undermining
Weakening slowly or indirectly.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Undermine
Hint for students
Undermine means to weaken something slowly or indirectly. It is often used with trust, confidence, evidence, rules, plans, or arguments.
Common mix-up
Undermine is not the same as disagree. A person can disagree openly, but to undermine something means to weaken its strength or support.
Try it in class or at home
Write one sentence that shows undermine without using the word undermine. Then underline the clue words that show weakening trust, confidence, support, or an argument. Example: The missing facts made the speaker's claim much less believable. Clue words: missing facts, much less believable Now try your own sentence. Ask: Does my sentence show something becoming weaker or less supported?
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: "Weak evidence can undermine the main claim in an essay." Why does undermine fit better than support?
Learning activities
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