Make Your Point > Archived Issues > UNDERMINE

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connect today's word to others: To be honest, at first, I wasn't going to bother with the word undermine. It's so basic. But I'm starting to appreciate it more and more for both its utility and the concrete image it places in our minds. In case it's new to you, to undermine something is to weaken it, as if from beneath. And to strengthen something, as if from beneath, is to under____ it. (To reveal any word with blanks, give it a click.) make your point with... "UNDERMINE" A mine is a tunnel we dig so we can take valuable stuff out of the earth, and to mine is to dig that kind of tunnel. To literally undermine something is to dig a tunnel under it. And, figuratively, to undermine things is to ruin, weaken, or work against them in a sneaky way, as if you're digging a tunnel under them so they'll cave in.  (And to undermine people is to ruin, weaken, or work against their ability to do something--again, in a sneaky way, as if you're tunneling underneath them.) Pronunciation: UN dur MINE Part of speech: Transitive verb. (Like "eat," "try," and "want," all transitive verbs do something to an object. You eat a banana, try a game, and want a new phone. Likewise, someone or something undermines someone or something.) Other forms: undermined, undermining, underminable, underminer How to use it: Undermining is generally a bad thing; that is, we often accuse people and things of undermining good things that ought to stand firm. It's both things and people that can undermine each other. In other words, we talk about things undermining people, people undermining things, people undermining other people, and things undermining other things. What kind of things get undermined? Often it's    processes, or our ability to get something done;     the prevention, detection, or treatment of diseases or other problems;     the power or authority of a leader or a court, or democracy itself;    the economy, or specific markets within the economy;     someone or something's credibility or prestige;    something's accuracy or utility;    our values, traditions, or institutions;    our confidence in something;    or our faith or beliefs. examples: If we offer kids rewards for reading books, we risk undermining their belief that reading is valuable on its own. If you hear a mom berating her child as he studies for a spelling bee, and you can hear how she's undermining his confidence, would you speak up and stop her? study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "undermine" means when you can explain it without saying "erode" or "subvert." try it out: Fill in the blanks: "_____ would undermine (something's) (beauty, character, or vibrancy)." Example: "Strict zoning laws would undermine the city's character." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. This month, we're playing "Game of Games!" Guess the one-word title of each board game, using your knowledge of vocabulary. From our previous issue:  Designed by Anthony Howgego, Fiona Jackson, and Mark Stockton-Pitt, this game has players taking on the role of Dissidents or Moderators, then fighting for control in a dystopian society in which reality itself is in flux. Board Game Geek reports, "As the Dissidents progress in their mission to 'hack' as many locations as possible, the Moderators strike back with increasing numbers of surveillance outposts." The game's title means "language that's fake or vague in a creepy, controlling way." It's pictured below, with the title blurred out. What game is this? Answer: NewSpeak. Check out the game here and the word here. Try this today:  Designed by Mac Gerdts, this game has players competing for power during the glory days of Europe. Board Game Geek reports that the winner is "he who succeeds in increasing his capital and gaining influence in the most powerful European nations." The game's title means "related to an emperor or an empire; authoritative and commanding like an emperor; or grand, magnificent, and fine, as if made for an emperor." It's pictured below, with the title blurred out. What game is this? review today's word: 1. One opposite of UNDERMINE is A. BOLSTER. B. OUTDO. C. SHARE. 2. As it unfolded, the Watergate scandal surrounding President Nixon undermined _____. A. the role of technology in 1970's society B. fears that he could not be trusted C. public support for him Answers are below. a final word: Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each weekday morning by Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words. From Liesl's blog:    36 ways to study words.    Why we forget words, & how to remember them.    How to use sophisticated words without being awkward. To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. A 2. C