Undermine
[ʌndə'maɪn] or ['ʌndɚ'maɪn]
Definition
(v. t.) To excavate the earth beneath, or the part of, especially for the purpose of causing to fall or be overthrown; to form a mine under; to sap; as, to undermine a wall.
(v. t.) Fig.: To remove the foundation or support of by clandestine means; to ruin in an underhand way; as, to undermine reputation; to undermine the constitution of the state.
Typist: Winfred
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. a. Sap, mine.
Inputed by Cleo
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Sap, subvert, counteract, baffle, thwart
ANT:Prop, support, countenance, promote, aid, corroborate
Typed by Keller
Definition
v.t. to form mines under in order to destroy: to destroy secretly the foundation or support of anything.—n. Undermī′ner one who undermines a secret enemy.
Checker: Raymond
Examples
- As the receding wave swept back with a hoarse roar, it seemed to scoop out deep caves in the beach, as if its purpose were to undermine the earth. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Have you considered what it is to undermine the confidence that should subsist between my daughter and myself? Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- But at last, fear undermined him. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- Certainly placid or morose acceptance is undermined. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- The Greek language resumed its sway, which had never been very seriously undermined by the official use of Latin. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Later on the influence of Confucius over his duke was undermined, and he withdrew again into private life. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- We have already described the way in which a strong intellectual process undermined the system of Grand Monarchy in France before 1789. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Never recovered the stomach pump--undermined constitution--fell a victim. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- It undermined the power of prejudice, superstition, and brute force, by habituating men to reliance upon argument, discussion, and persuasion. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- Since she cares so little for me as to care nothing for undermining my respectability, she shall go her way and I will go mine. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- A similar undermining process was going on throughout Europe during the Great Power period of 1848-1914. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- When trade is bad, there's more undermining of health, and preparation for death, going on among you Milton men than you're aware of. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- Mr. Howe's own book undermines his conclusions. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
Checker: Sumner