undermining

/ˌʌn.dəˈmaɪn/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈʌndɚmˌaɪnɪŋ] /ˌʌn.dɚˈmaɪn/ (ame, ipa) · [ˈʌndɚmˌaɪnɪŋ] /ˌən-dər-ˈmīn How to pronounce undermine (audio) ˈən-dər-ˌmīn/ (ame, mw)

undermining — verb

  • underminingpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • underminings3rd person singular
  • undermininging-ing form
  • underminingedpast simple

1. to slowly damage a person's confidence, position, or chances, or gradually reduc

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to slowly damage a person's confidence, position, or chances, or gradually reduce the strength or effect of something

例句

Ari's sarcastic jokes are undermining the new coach's authority in practice.

collocation: undermine + authority / trust / confidence

Élise worries that the false headlines are undermining trust in local doctors.

同義詞
  • weaken

    broader and more neutral, without the strong idea of gradual erosion

  • erode

    emphasises slow wearing away, especially of trust or support

  • sap

    often focuses on draining a person's strength or confidence from within

  • undercut

    more often suggests a deliberate move against another person's position or advantage

反義詞
  • strengthen

    to make a person, position, or system stronger

  • bolster

    to add support, especially to confidence or morale

  • reinforce

    to make something stronger by giving it added backing

文法句型

undermine + noun phrase

be undermining + noun phrase

用法筆記

The object is usually an abstract thing such as confidence, trust, authority, or progress. This sense often appears in news, workplace, and political writing. For physical damage below a structure, see sense 2.

常見錯誤

❌The sunshine is undermining her confidence.
✅The constant criticism is undermining her confidence.
💡this sense usually involves words, actions, or events that slowly weaken support or belief.
❌The scandal is undermining the bridge.
✅The scandal is damaging the bridge's reputation.
💡use sense 2 only for physical support being removed from underneath.

2. to remove or wash away the material under a wall, road, bank, or building so tha

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to remove or wash away the material under a wall, road, bank, or building so that it loses support

例句

Mauricio says the fast river is undermining the bank behind his barn.

collocation: undermine + bank / road / foundation

Yara warned that the waves were undermining the old harbour wall.

同義詞
  • erode

    broader term for gradual wearing away, often at the surface rather than specifically underneath

  • wash away

    focuses on the material being carried off by water

  • hollow out

    emphasises creating empty space beneath something

  • sap

    older or technical word for digging under a wall or fortification

反義詞
  • reinforce

    to make a weak structure stronger by adding support

  • shore up

    to hold up something that may collapse

  • fortify

    to strengthen against physical damage or attack

文法句型

undermine + noun phrase (structure or ground)

be undermining + noun phrase beneath something

用法筆記

The subject is usually water, waves, digging, mining, or another force acting below a surface. The result is loss of support under something fixed. Distinguish this from sense 1, which is about weakening trust, confidence, or authority.

常見錯誤

❌The storm is undermining the boat.
✅The storm is undermining the pier.
💡this sense is used when support is being removed from under something fixed in place.