# undermine

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˌʌn.dəˈmaɪn/ · frequency rank #12,161

## Definitions
1. To dig underneath (something), to make a passage for destructive or military purposes; to sap.
2. To weaken or work against; to hinder, sabotage.
3. To erode the base or foundation of something, e.g. by the action of water.
4. To regard an object as the sum of the parts that compose it, in object-oriented ontology.

## Etymology
From under- + mine.

## Easily confused with
- **underpin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/undermine-vs-underpin)
- **underside** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/undermine-vs-underside)
- **undertone** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/undermine-vs-undertone)
- **underlie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/underlie-vs-undermine)
- **underline** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/underline-vs-undermine)
- **underlined** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/underlined-vs-undermine)

## Common misspellings (13)
`nudermine`, `udnermine`, `unddermine`, `undemrine`, `underimne`, `undermien`, `underminne`, `undermmine`, `undermnie`, `underrmine`, `undremine`, `unedrmine`, `unndermine`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/undermine