undermine

affaiblir, saper

Rendre un effort, une relation ou une conviction moins solide, ou réduire ses chances de réussite.

En anglais simple : To make an effort, relationship, or belief weaker or less likely to succeed.

• His lies undermine our trust.
• Constant criticism undermined her confidence.
• These delays could undermine our efforts to finish on time.

Synonymes : weaken, damage, sabotage

Contraires : strengthen, support

Expressions courantes : undermine confidence, undermine someone’s efforts, undermine trust, undermine authority

saper, affouiller

Enlever la terre ou le support sous quelque chose, ce qui le fragilise ou risque de le faire tomber.

En anglais simple : To remove earth or support from below something, making it weak or likely to fall.

• Floodwater undermined the garden wall.
• The river is undermining the bank beneath the road.
• Soldiers dug tunnels to undermine the castle’s foundations.

Synonymes : sap, erode

Contraires : support

Expressions courantes : undermine a wall, undermine the foundations, undermine a bank