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Undermining: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ”จ
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undermining

 

[หŒสŒndษ™rหˆmaษชnษชล‹ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

action

To weaken or sabotage something, especially a position or authority, often in a subtle or gradual way.

Synonyms

compromise, erode, sabotage, subvert, weaken.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
undermining

Used when someone is secretly or gradually making someone or something less effective or less strong, often in a disloyal way. It has a negative connotation.

  • Her constant criticism was undermining his confidence.
  • The leaks to the press are undermining the government's efforts.
weaken

This is used in general contexts to describe making something less strong, less intense, or less effective.

  • The long illness had weakened his body.
  • Financial issues can weaken a companyโ€™s stability.
sabotage

This refers to deliberate actions taken to damage, disrupt, or destroy something, typically in a secretive and hostile manner. Highly negative connotation.

  • There were attempts to sabotage the project from within the company.
  • The enemy planned to sabotage the railway lines.
subvert

Used when someone is trying to overthrow, ruin, or undermine something, often a system or institution, in a covert manner. This word has a negative connotation.

  • The insurgents aimed to subvert the government.
  • He tried to subvert the company's policies.
erode

Used to describe a gradual decline or weakening of something, often due to external forces like natural elements or continuous pressure.

  • The constant friction began to erode the relationship between the partners.
  • Wind and water can erode even the hardest rocks over time.
compromise

This word is often used in situations where a mutual agreement is reached by making concessions, or when the integrity of something is reduced. It can have both positive and negative connotations.

  • They managed to reach a compromise by both giving up some demands.
  • The security of the system was compromised due to outdated software.

Examples of usage

  • His constant criticism was undermining her confidence.
  • The leaked emails are undermining the company's reputation.
  • The constant gossip in the office is undermining team morale.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term comes from the combination of 'under' (meaning beneath) and 'mine' (to dig), reflecting the act of digging under something.
  • First recorded use in the mid-1600s, referring to a military strategy where soldiers would dig tunnels to collapse structures.
  • The word evolved to describe both physical and figurative weakening, allowing usage in contexts like politics and interpersonal relationships.

Psychology

  • Studies show that when people undermine others, it often stems from jealousy or competition.
  • Undermining can have negative effects on the mental health of both the undermined and the underminer, creating a cycle of distrust.
  • In group dynamics, undermining can lead to toxic environments, affecting team performance and morale.

Politics

  • In politics, undermining often involves spreading misinformation or doubt about an opponent's credibility.
  • This tactic has been used throughout history, influencing election outcomes and public perceptions.
  • Undermining can also occur within political parties, where factions work secretly against one another to gain control or influence.

Literature

  • In many classic novels, characters engage in undermining behaviors to achieve personal goals, revealing themes of betrayal.
  • George Orwell's '1984' showcases a society rife with undermining, where loyalty is constantly questioned, highlighting the fragility of trust.
  • Shakespeare often portrayed characters who undermined others to gain power, illustrating the timeless nature of this theme.

Pop Culture

  • Undermining can be seen in modern media, such as reality television, where contestants often backstab or sabotage one another.
  • Television shows like 'Game of Thrones' heavily feature characters who undermine each other in their quests for power.
  • In social media, the act of undermining is prevalent in online interactions, influencing how individuals present themselves and react to others.

Translations

Translations of the word "undermining" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น minando

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เคฎเคœเฅ‹เคฐ เค•เคฐเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช unterminieren

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ merongrong

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟั–ะดั€ะธะฒะฐะฝะฝั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ podkopywanie

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅผฑไฝ“ๅŒ–

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท saper

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ socavando

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท zayฤฑflatma

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์•ฝํ™”์‹œํ‚ค๋‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุชุญุช ุชู‚ูˆูŠุถ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ podkopรกvรกnรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ podkopรกvanie

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็ ดๅ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ podkopavanje

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ grafa undan

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะฐะทัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฅแƒ•แƒ”แƒ›แƒแƒ— แƒ’แƒแƒ—แƒฎแƒ แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ altฤฑnฤฑ qazma

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ socavando

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,395, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.