undermining
Eroding from beneath
Undermining is weakening something gradually from beneath or from within.
The literal sense involves digging under a foundation to cause collapse: Erosion was undermining the cliff face.
More often the word describes covert damage to authority, confidence, or stability: Her constant criticism was undermining his self-esteem.
To undermine someone is to sabotage their position or credibility, usually through indirect means rather than open opposition.
Gradual wearing away
- abrasionShallow surface wound
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- corrosionChemical wearing away
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
decay · degradation · disintegration · wear · attrition · crumbling · dissolution · sapping
Undermining established authority
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- discreditHarm another's reputation
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
- schemingCrafty and calculating
propaganda · disinformation · covert · clandestine · insidious · underhanded · infiltrate · deceive
To make weak
- impairTo diminish or damage
- enfeebleMake feeble or frail
- diminishTo make smaller
- sapPlant circulatory fluid
attenuate · degrade · compromise · deteriorate · cripple · enervate · exhaust · drain
Intentionally concealed
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- furtiveSecretive and sly
- secretiveInclined to conceal
undercover · hidden · concealed · subtle · insidious · sneaky · behind-the-scenes · backdoor
One who deliberately undermines
- wreckingDestroying completely
- tamperingImproper interference with something
- interferenceUnwelcome involvement in affairs
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
undercutting · disruption · demolition · vandalism · destruction · treachery · betrayal · infiltration
Express low opinion of
- denigrateCriticize unfairly to harm
- depreciateLose value over time
- demeanLower in standing
- diminishTo make smaller
discredit · downplay · ridicule · trivialize · undervalue · deride · devalue · minimize
erosion
Gradual wearing away
- abrasionShallow surface wound
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- corrosionChemical wearing away
deterioration · decay · degradation · disintegration · wear · attrition · crumbling · dissolution · sapping · chipping away
subversion
Undermining established authority
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- discreditHarm another's reputation
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
scheming · propaganda · disinformation · covert · clandestine · insidious · underhanded · infiltrate · deceive · mislead
debilitate
To make weak
sap · attenuate · degrade · compromise · deteriorate · cripple · enervate · exhaust · drain · wither
covert
Intentionally concealed
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- furtiveSecretive and sly
secretive · undercover · hidden · concealed · subtle · insidious · sneaky · behind-the-scenes · backdoor · underhanded
saboteur
One who deliberately undermines
- wreckingDestroying completely
- tamperingImproper interference with something
- interferenceUnwelcome involvement in affairs
obstruction · undercutting · disruption · demolition · vandalism · destruction · treachery · betrayal · infiltration · subversion
disparage
Express low opinion of
- denigrateCriticize unfairly to harm
- depreciateLose value over time
- demeanLower in standing
diminish · discredit · downplay · ridicule · trivialize · undervalue · deride · devalue · minimize · mock
destabilization
Causing loss of stability
upset · dislocate · disorganize · demoralize · dismantle · impair · hobble · disarray · disorder · disequilibrium
- bad behaviorslying, cheating, stealing, rudeness, gossiping
- hostile behaviorsattacking, bullying, fighting, harassing, hitting
- interferenceinterfering, meddling, intruding, butting in, obstructing
- workplace conflictspower struggles, disagreements, arguments, office politics, turf wars
- dominance tacticsbullying, commanding, controlling, dictating, domineering
- geohazardslandslides, rockslide, mudslide, mudflow, subsidence
underminingreinforcing
Making more robust
strengthening · bolstering · shoring up · fortifying · buttressing
undermininglegitimizing
Conferring official status
endorsing · validating · upholding · backing · empowering
underminingsupporting
Bearing or sustaining
boosting · facilitating · advancing · promoting · furthering
mine, underneath, mining, undermine, minerals, undermined, miners, undermines, mineralogy