as in weakened
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.
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Recent Examples of undermined
For far too long, age discrimination has quietly undermined the security of older workers.
—
Gary A. Officer, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
He is also set on handing his successor a strong economy -- a feat that could be undermined by a sudden energy shock reprising the price spikes earlier in his administration.
—Jeff Stein and Ellen Nakashima The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 25 Dec. 2024
The ongoing saga with Harry Kane, who had spent the summer trying to engineer a move to Manchester City, further undermined him.
—Paul Taylor, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
Unfortunately, Southern Democrats lobbied hard in opposition, and, in a head-turning moment, certain civil rights leaders came out against it, worrying that the power of their communities would be undermined.
—Jerry Goldfeder, New York Daily News, 22 Dec. 2024
Florida's surgeon general has made false claims about COVID vaccines, undermined school vaccine mandates for the measles and said local officials should stop adding fluoride to water supplies.
—Rosemary Westwood, NPR, 20 Dec. 2024
However, his lengthy reign was undermined by a lack of title defenses, three over 273 days.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
In the digital era, authorship often seems to be undermined and extended all at once.
—Glenn Adamson, ARTnews.com, 16 Dec. 2024
Rather, both countries have exploited and undermined this and other international economic institutions.
—Mitch McConnell, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2024
Gary A. Officer, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
He is also set on handing his successor a strong economy -- a feat that could be undermined by a sudden energy shock reprising the price spikes earlier in his administration.
—Jeff Stein and Ellen Nakashima The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 25 Dec. 2024
The ongoing saga with Harry Kane, who had spent the summer trying to engineer a move to Manchester City, further undermined him.
—Paul Taylor, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
Unfortunately, Southern Democrats lobbied hard in opposition, and, in a head-turning moment, certain civil rights leaders came out against it, worrying that the power of their communities would be undermined.
—Jerry Goldfeder, New York Daily News, 22 Dec. 2024
Florida's surgeon general has made false claims about COVID vaccines, undermined school vaccine mandates for the measles and said local officials should stop adding fluoride to water supplies.
—Rosemary Westwood, NPR, 20 Dec. 2024
However, his lengthy reign was undermined by a lack of title defenses, three over 273 days.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
In the digital era, authorship often seems to be undermined and extended all at once.
—Glenn Adamson, ARTnews.com, 16 Dec. 2024
Rather, both countries have exploited and undermined this and other international economic institutions.
—Mitch McConnell, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermined
Verb
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Those at high-risk for listeria infection are newborns, those who are pregnant, have weakened immune systems, and those aged 65 or older.—
Mike Snider,
USA TODAY,
3 Jan. 2025
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But the militants, while greatly weakened, have repeatedly regrouped, often after Israeli forces withdraw from areas.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The host and journalist Garrett Graff, himself a gun owner, contextualizes the past quarter century of mass shootings by laying out the political and legislative maneuvers that have eroded gun-control laws over the previous 50 years.—
Marnie Shure,
The Atlantic,
24 Dec. 2024
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Currents flowing over an area that was eroded long ago by a glacier sweep sediment away, keeping the ancient terrain visible.—
Ashley Balzer Vigil,
Ars Technica,
21 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Expand the definition of rape to include circumstances when the offender knew that the other person's judgment was impaired because of drugs for medical treatment.—
Max Filby,
The Enquirer,
20 Dec. 2024
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Kenneth Stewart, 64, was arrested at the scene and charged with driving while ability impaired, Newsday reported.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
9 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Cybersecurity can potentially be compromised by the same computational capacity that enables the solution of complex issues.—
Chuck Brooks,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
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Also, the effectiveness of bullpen relief pitchers will be compromised because their arms will more likely get worn out.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The inside story of how this relationship deteriorated is worth a read.—
Chris Branch,
The Athletic,
8 Jan. 2025
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The increase in tests came as relations with the United States and its regional allies deteriorated and Pyongyang pulled closer to Russia.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
7 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near undermined
Cite this Entry
“Undermined.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermined. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
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