as in to weaken
to make (someone or something) weaker or less effective usually in a secret or gradual way
She tried to undermine my authority by complaining about me to my boss. The events of the past year have undermined people's confidence in the government.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of undermine
Guilt by association While some social media companies might seek to capture the fediverse, others might seek to undermine its reputation by highlighting some of its unsavory uses.
—
Aram Sinnreich, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2025
Hospital groups in 2020 opposed to the changes unsuccessfully challenged the previous Trump administration in court, arguing that the requirements would undermine their negotiations with insurers and violate their First Amendment rights.
—Marquise Francis, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025
Trump has aligned with Russian narratives about the conflict, framing Ukraine as the key impediment to peace, falsely blaming Kyiv for starting the war, undermining Zelenskyy's legitimacy as president and seeking to recoup years of American aid via a controversial minerals sharing deal.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2025
My guess is that a great interior COVID novel will either reject or undermine the self-controlling impulse that many pandemic novels thus far have suffered from, with its characters who are actively trying to manage their emotions and behavior.
—Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for undermine
Aram Sinnreich, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2025
Hospital groups in 2020 opposed to the changes unsuccessfully challenged the previous Trump administration in court, arguing that the requirements would undermine their negotiations with insurers and violate their First Amendment rights.
—Marquise Francis, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2025
Trump has aligned with Russian narratives about the conflict, framing Ukraine as the key impediment to peace, falsely blaming Kyiv for starting the war, undermining Zelenskyy's legitimacy as president and seeking to recoup years of American aid via a controversial minerals sharing deal.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2025
My guess is that a great interior COVID novel will either reject or undermine the self-controlling impulse that many pandemic novels thus far have suffered from, with its characters who are actively trying to manage their emotions and behavior.
—Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for undermine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermine
Verb
-
Signing Verdugo now would give the Yankees one less option to fill the Stanton void and weaken their lineup even more.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
11 Mar. 2025
-
In an all-staff e-mail, Dudek wrote: Criticism, contempt, stonewalling, and defensiveness are the four forces that can end any relationship and weaken any institution. . .—
E. Tammy Kim,
The New Yorker,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Orange County Register,
13 Mar. 2025
-
But Casey pointed out that drivers stopped for more serious violations, such as driving while impaired, will receive citations or be arrested.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Video calls fall slightly below in-person meetings because small differences can significantly erode engagement.—
Carmine Gallo,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
-
For example, if the individual who passed did not have life insurance, long-term care or supplemental disability insurance, there may also be debts left behind that can erode the inheritance.—
Jessica Dickler,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Displays of authenticity, executed improperly, can damage reputations and even derail careers.—
Harrison Monarth,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Moon dust plagued astronauts and spacecraft during NASA’s Apollo program in the mid-20th century, as the fine and abrasive material damaged camera lenses and visors, according to NASA.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In today’s environment, where DEI programs are under attack and frequently misunderstood, leaders who invest in building and supporting diverse teams unlock a broader range of perspectives, fueling better decision-making without compromising on standards or quality.—
Rebekah Bastian,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
-
Does that critical framework become compromised with the infusion of ethnic studies as the primary content?—
Marsha Sutton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undermine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermine. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share