to undermine
Loading your saved state.
to undermine
To secretly, slowly, and systematically weaken or destroy something, such as authority, trust, or health. This verb is not separable.
Seine ständigen Lügen untergraben das Vertrauen in der Beziehung.
His constant lies undermine the trust in the relationship.
to undercut
Literally: to dig underneath something or create a hollow space below it.
Der Fluss hat das Ufer über die Jahre hinweg untergraben.
Over the years, the river has undercut the bank.
'Untergraben' (to undermine) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'unter-' is not stressed and remains firmly attached to the verb 'graben' (to dig) in all sentence forms.
Ständiges Misstrauen untergräbt jede Freundschaft.
Constant mistrust undermines every friendship.
The figurative meaning 'to weaken' is almost always used with abstract nouns. If you see words like 'Vertrauen' (trust), 'Autorität' (authority), 'Gesundheit' (health), or 'Moral' (morale) as the object, this meaning is intended.
Die ständige Kritik hat ihr Selbstvertrauen langsam untergraben.
The constant criticism slowly undermined her self-confidence.
Common abstract concepts that can be 'untergraben' (undermined) include: 'das Vertrauen' (trust), 'die Autorität' (authority), 'die Disziplin' (discipline), 'die Moral' (morale), or 'die Gesundheit' (health).
Solche Aktionen untergraben die Autorität der Schulleitung.
Such actions undermine the authority of the school administration.
The figurative meaning of 'untergraben' (to undermine) belongs more to written language or a more formal style. It is often found in news, political discussions, or specialist texts.
Der Artikel analysiert, wie Falschnachrichten das Vertrauen in die Medien untergraben.
The article analyzes how fake news undermines trust in the media.
to shake
Erschüttern and untergraben can both weaken trust, faith, or authority. Erschüttern usually emphasizes a strong, often sudden shock, while untergraben generally refers to a slow and systematic process. Use erschüttern for a single serious event, and untergraben for repeated or lasting influences.
Die ständigen widersprüchlichen Aussagen untergruben langsam ihr Vertrauen in den Geschäftspartner.
The constant contradictory statements slowly undermined her trust in her business partner.
Der plötzliche Betrug erschütterte ihr Vertrauen in den Geschäftspartner.
The sudden fraud shook her trust in her business partner.
