undermine

Undermine is defined as to dig beneath, weaken or injure.

(verb)

  1. An example of to undermine is digging a space under a walkway for irrigation.
  2. An example of to undermine is a weak person on a team making the team lose a game.

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See undermine in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb undermined, undermining

  1. to dig beneath; excavate ground from under, so as to form a tunnel or mine
  2. to wear away and weaken the supports of: erosion is undermining the wall
  3. to injure, weaken, or impair, esp. by subtle, stealthy, or insidious means

See undermine in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb un·der·mined, un·der·min·ing, un·der·mines
  1. To weaken by wearing away a base or foundation: Water has undermined the stone foundations.
  2. To weaken, injure, or impair, often by degrees or imperceptibly; sap: Late hours can undermine one's health.
  3. To dig a mine or tunnel beneath.

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