undoing

noun

un·​do·​ing ˌən-ˈdü-iŋ 

1

: an act of loosening : unfastening

2

: ruin

also : a cause of ruin

greed was to prove his undoing

3

: annulment, reversal

Synonyms

• death
• destruction
• downfall
• ruin
• ruination

Examples of undoing in a Sentence

My quick temper was my undoing.

His quick temper helped lead to his undoing.

The incident resulted in her undoing.

Recent Examples on the Web

In quick succession, however, three key incidents turned out to be the undoing of a furious Hansi Flick and his men starting with Marc Casado's careless dismissal for a second yellow card. —Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024

And for now, Trump has the benefit of having inherited a U.S. economy that has performed very well, despite the many voters who voiced unhappiness about the economy that may have been Vice President Kamala Harris’ undoing. —Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2024

The problem for Visa’s would-be assailants is that allegedly damning stories like this one are the undoing of the case itself. —John Tamny, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Biden’s loose tongue eventually proved his undoing. —Philip Elliott, TIME, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

undoing

noun

un·​do·​ing ˌən-ˈdü-iŋ 

1

: an act or instance of unfastening

2

a

: ruin entry 1 sense 1

parental neglect helped lead to their undoing

b

: a cause of ruin

my quick temper was my undoing

3

: reversal, annulment