undermine Meaning, Definition & Usage

verb destroy property or hinder normal operations
countermine; subvert; counteract; sabotage; weaken.
- The Resistance sabotaged railroad operations during the war
verb hollow out as if making a cave or opening
cave.
- The river was caving the banks

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.
A vast rock undermined from one end to the other, and a highway running through it. Addison.
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.
He should be warned who are like to undermine him. Locke.