undermines
弱体化する
解説 Definition
undermines は undermine（弱体化する、損なう）の三人称単数現在形です。信頼、権威、計画などを少しずつ弱くしたり傷つけたりする場合に使われます。
The third-person singular present form of undermine, meaning that a person, action, or condition gradually weakens someone’s authority, confidence, position, or chance of success. It often describes indirect damage to an abstract foundation such as trust, fairness, or credibility.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
原形 undermine に三人称単数現在の -s が付き、語末は無声音 /s/ でなく /z/ と発音します。under「下で」＋mine「坑道を掘る」と捉え、城壁の下を掘って土台から崩す場面を想像しましょう。現在は trust、authority、success などを主語の原因が徐々に「損なう」場合によく使います。
Begin with undermine, literally suggesting action beneath a structure: under plus mine. Historically, attackers could dig under a defensive wall and weaken its foundation. That physical picture now helps with abstract uses such as “undermines public trust” or “undermines the project’s success.” Undermines is the third-person singular present form, used after subjects such as this mistake, ignoring the rules, or a lack of communication. Add -s in spelling, but pronounce the ending /z/. Unlike destroy, undermine usually suggests gradual, indirect, or foundation-level weakening rather than immediate total ruin.
例文
This mistake undermines public trust.
このミスは人々の信頼を損ないます。
Ignoring the rules undermines the team's fairness.
ルールを無視することは、チームの公平性を弱めます。
A lack of clear communication undermines the success of the project.
明確な連絡が不足すると、そのプロジェクトの成功が損なわれます。
undermines の類義語・関連語
類義語
対義語
undermines の語源・成り立ち Etymology
under-（下から）＋mine（坑道を掘る）の構成。中世フランス語underminerから。城壁の下にトンネルを掘って崩す攻城戦術が語源で、転じて「土台から密かに弱体化させる」意味になった。関連語にmine（鉱山・地雷）、mineral（鉱物）がある。
Undermines is the third-person singular present form of undermine, with an -s ending pronounced /z/. Undermine combines under with mine in the sense of digging a tunnel or excavation. The verb reflects a historical siege technique in which attackers dug beneath walls or fortifications to make them collapse. From this literal weakening of a structure’s foundation, the word developed its common figurative sense of gradually damaging confidence, authority, stability, or effectiveness.
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