Vocabulary: Undermine

Imagine you are taking the GRE, and you have just read a couple of paragraphs containing an __argument__ that states the following: A presidential candidate tried to undermine her political rivals. What does the word _undermine_ mean in this context?

Well done! The word _undermine_, meaning "to raise questions about," is similar in meaning to the word _weaken_, so if someone tries to undermine a political rival, he or she is trying to sabotage or destroy the rival's campaign.

Incorrect. The word _undermine_, meaning "to raise questions about," is similar in meaning to the word _weaken_, so if someone tries to undermine a political rival, he or she is trying to sabotage or destroy the rival's campaign. _Expedite_, however, means "to accomplish promptly."

Now try your hand at a practice question. Which of the following, if true, undermines the __argument__ that vegetarians who consume dairy products are still being inhumane to animals?

Incorrect. This statement actually strengthens the __argument__, because as people continue to eat animal products, most animals that provide the food live in confinement, are pumped full of hormones, then ultimately are killed for their meat.

Incorrect. This answer choice is irrelevant because it does not deal with vegetarians' choices or the outcome of the choices.

To summarize, ___undermine___ means "to weaken the validity of something" or "to raise questions about its correctness." The word _undermine_ is often used in Reading Comprehension __Critical Reasoning__ questions, along with the phrases "cast doubt" and "call into question." While there are subtle differences between these, for the purposes of the GRE, the differences can be ignored, and all three can be treated as synonyms meaning "to weaken."

Excellent! If dairy cows are harmed by not being milked, non-vegan vegetarians may not be culpable for consuming milk. On the contrary, vegans who refrain from drinking milk might be harming animals by not consuming dairy products.

To raise questions about the rivals' campaigns

To expedite the rivals' campaigns

People who consume animal products help to perpetuate the inhumane treatment of animals.

Few people wish to refrain entirely from eating meat and other animal products.

If a milk cow is not milked, her udders could swell, resulting in immobilization and inability to reach food and water.

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