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

His radicalization from the confines of his own bedroom is ultimately the family’s undoing: online, the rise of incel culture and misogyny have bred young men — and in this case, children — capable of committing horrendous acts of violence. —Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2025

Otherwise, this war may lead to the undoing of Lebanon and its increasingly rare, if flawed model of societal diversity—with even greater regional aftershocks. —Maha Yahya, Foreign Affairs, 20 Nov. 2024

But don’t think this was merely an instance of Sabalenka being her own undoing. —Howard Fendrich, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025

Last season, the Kings went 46-36 but did not make the playoffs, and a 13-18 start this season with a five-game home losing skid was Brown’s undoing, leading to Christie and a new reboot. —Joe Davidson, Sacramento Bee, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for undoing

• accruing
• canoeing
• construing
• eschewing
• previewing
• pursuing
• renewing
• reviewing
• shampooing
• subduing
• tattooing
• unscrewing

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