undercut

1 of 2

verb

un·​der·​cut ˌən-dər-ˈkət How to pronounce undercut (audio)
undercut; undercutting

transitive verb

1
: to cut away the underpart of
undercut a vein of ore
2
: to cut away material from the underside of (an object) so as to leave an overhanging portion in relief
3
: to offer to sell at lower prices than or to work for lower wages than (a competitor)
4
: to cut obliquely into (a tree) below the main cut and on the side toward which the tree will fall
5
: to strike (a ball) with a downward glancing blow so as to give a backspin or elevation to the shot
6
: to undermine or destroy the force, value, or effectiveness of
inflation undercuts consumer buying power

intransitive verb

: to perform the action of cutting away beneath

undercut

2 of 2

noun

un·​der·​cut ˈən-dər-ˌkət How to pronounce undercut (audio)
1
British : tenderloin sense 1
2
: the action or result of cutting away from the underside or lower part of something
3
: a notch cut in the base of a tree before felling to determine the direction of falling and to prevent splitting

Examples of undercut in a Sentence

Verb They undercut the competing store by 10 percent. a law that undercuts the Constitution Her behavior undercuts her own credibility.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Even before Trump's tariffs announcement, U.S. data on Monday showed factory gate prices jumped to a nearly three-year high, indicating the new wave of tariffs could soon undercut production. Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025 The revelations — made clear in interviews, legal conferences and a private email thread among task force members and other experts in condominium law — undercut state leaders’ arguments against revisiting the law as the Legislature convenes Tuesday for its annual legislative session. Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
Think snapbacks, undercuts, chains, and jerseys, usually worn by cringey white lesbians posturing for the camera. Quispe López, Them, 15 Jan. 2025 There is money for funding undercuts so the cars will go underneath the train on those intersections. Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 21 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for undercut

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1859, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of undercut was in 1598

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Undercut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undercut. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

undercut

1 of 2 verb
un·​der·​cut ˌən-dər-ˈkət How to pronounce undercut (audio)
undercut; undercutting
1
: to cut away the underpart of something or material beneath something
2
: to offer to sell at lower prices than or to work for lower wages than
undercut a competitor
3
: to strike so as to give a backspin or height to the shot
a tennis player undercutting the ball

undercut

2 of 2 noun
un·​der·​cut ˈən-dər-ˌkət How to pronounce undercut (audio)
: the action or result of undercutting

Medical Definition

undercut

noun
un·​der·​cut ˈən-dər-ˌkət How to pronounce undercut (audio)
: the part of a tooth lying between the gum and the points of maximum outward bulge on the tooth's surfaces

More from Merriam-Webster on undercut

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