SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
undermine
verb
To weaken support, confidence, or effectiveness, often gradually or indirectly.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Weaken gradually or indirectly
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topUndermine often acts on support or effectiveness indirectly. Sabotage more clearly implies deliberate interference; erode can describe gradual damage without intent.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See undermine in use
Unexplained exceptions can undermine confidence in an otherwise clear policy.
Repeated promises of space that never became available would undermine confidence in the organizers.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license