undermine
- v. 逐渐破坏, 暗中破坏
- Definition
- v. to gradually weaken or damage something, often secretly
- Example
- Constant criticism can undermine a student's confidence over time.
- 持续的批评会逐渐削弱学生的自信心。
Synonyms & Differences 近义词辨析
Compared meaning: to gradually or deliberately weaken or destroy something (verb).
比较义项：逐渐削弱或摧毁某事物（权威、信心、计划等）（动词）。
- undermine 本词
Describes a gradual, often subtle weakening of something abstract like confidence, trust or authority; the damage may not be intentional.
指逐渐、往往不易察觉地削弱抽象事物，如信心、信任或权威；这种损害未必是故意造成的。
Missing several deadlines undermined his boss's trust in him.
多次错过截止日期削弱了老板对他的信任。
- subvert
Means to secretly overthrow or destroy an established system, authority or set of rules, often implying deliberate opposition from within.
指暗中推翻或摧毁既定的体制、权威或规则，通常暗示有意从内部进行对抗。
The rebels tried to subvert the government's authority from within.
叛乱分子试图从内部颠覆政府的权威。
- sabotage
Refers to a deliberate, often secretive act of damaging a plan, project or object to make it fail; always intentional.
指故意、常常是暗中破坏计划、项目或物品，使其失败；总是有意为之。
A jealous rival tried to sabotage her chances of winning.
一个嫉妒的对手试图破坏她获胜的机会。
Undermine, subvert and sabotage all mean to weaken or destroy something. Undermine means gradually weakening something abstract, like confidence, not always on purpose. Subvert means to secretly overthrow an established system or authority, always on purpose. Sabotage means to deliberately damage a plan or project.
这三个词都能表示“破坏”，但方式和对象不同：undermine 强调逐渐、间接地削弱抽象事物（如信心、权威），未必是故意的；subvert 强调暗中推翻或颠覆既有的权威、体制或规则；sabotage 强调蓄意、暗中破坏计划或行动，使其失败。