verb · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/ˌʌn.dəˈmaɪn/
General-American:/ˌʌn.dɚˈmaɪn/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -aɪn
CMU ARPABET:AH1 N D ER0 M AY2 N
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
verb
Meaning 1
To dig underneath (something), to make a passage for destructive or military purposes; to sap.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
verb
Meaning 2
To weaken or work against; to hinder, sabotage.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively
Examples
The war efforts were undermined by the constant bickering between the allies.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: corrode, undercut
Antonyms: none provided
3
verb
Meaning 3
To erode the base or foundation of something, e.g. by the action of water.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
verb
Meaning 4
To regard an object as the sum of the parts that compose it, in object-oriented ontology.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: human-sciences, philosophy, sciences
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
verb
Meaning 5
hollow out as if making a cave or opening
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
The river was caving the banks
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: cave
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: hollow, hollow out, core out
Narrower terms: sap
6
verb
Meaning 6
destroy property or hinder normal operations
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
The Resistance sabotaged railroad operations during the war
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h1én Proto-Indo-European *h1entér Proto-Indo-European *(H)n̥dhí Proto-Indo-European *-ér Proto-Indo-European *(H)n̥dhér Proto-Germanic *under Proto-West Germanic *undar Old English under- Middle English under- English under- English mine English undermine From under- + mine.
Across languages
Translations
84 source translations are retained for this English entry.
