What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
undermined
Example
The heavy rains undermined the foundation of the building. [undermined: past tense]
Example
The constant criticism from his colleagues undermined his confidence in his abilities. [undermining: present participle]
weakened
Example
The weakened state of the economy led to massive job losses. [weakened: adjective]
Example
The athlete's performance was affected by a weakened immune system. [weakened: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Weakened is more commonly used than undermined in everyday language. Weakened is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while undermined is less common and often used in specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between undermined and weakened?
Both undermined and weakened can be used in formal and informal contexts, but undermined may have a more formal connotation due to its association with politics, business, or legal matters.
