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   undermine

   /ˌʌndəˈmʌɪn/

   verb

   • 1. erode the base or foundation of (a rock formation): "the flow of water had undermined pillars supporting the roof" Similar erodewear awayeat away atchip awayundercutOpposite shore upsupport
   • ▪ dig or excavate beneath (a building or fortification) so as to make it collapse: "the demolition engineers did eventually undermine two of the tower's six sides" Similar tunnel underdig underburrow underexcavatesap
   • 2. lessen the effectiveness, power, or ability of, especially gradually or insidiously: "this could undermine years of hard work" Similar subvertsabotagethreatenweakencompromisediminishreduceimpairmarspoilruinimpedehinderdamagehurtinjurecrippledisableenfeeblesapshakewhittle awayeat awayinformal:foul upbotchput the kibosh ondrag through the mudthrow a spanner in the works ofqueer the pitch ofthrow a monkey wrench in the works ofOpposite enhanceimprovestrengthen

   Word Origin Middle English: from under- + the verb mine2, probably suggested by Middle Dutch ondermineren.

   Derivatives

   • 1. underminer noun

   Scrabble Points: 12

   • U

     1

   • N

     1

   • D

     2

   • E

     1

   • R

     1

   • M

     3

   • I

     1

   • N

     1

   • E

     1

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