as in weakens
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 undermines
Zelle issued a statement claiming that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s suit undermines Zelle, and will empower criminals and hurt small businesses and community banks.
—
Corina Vanek, The Arizona Republic, 23 Dec. 2024
This lack of visibility undermines trust and raises concerns about data quality, privacy, and potential biases.
—Max (chong) Li, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Medicaid, originally designed to provide medical services to the most vulnerable, has been transformed into a bloated program that undermines its purpose, thanks to the misguided policies of the Biden administration.
—Gary D. Alexander, National Review, 22 Dec. 2024
In excess, however, envy fosters resentment, undermines collaboration and creates a divisive atmosphere where individuals work against each other rather than with one another.
—Sandro Da Silva, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
For decades, Turkey has been a strategic partner, but hosting groups like Hamas without clear steps toward dismantling their operations undermines that relationship.
—Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, 15 Dec. 2024
However, in the modern business world, this negativity bias often leads to flawed decision-making, stifles innovation, and undermines growth.
—Bryce Hoffman, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
As the western part of the state still recovers from Hurricane Helene, the state legislature approved a bill which transfers $227 million in funds from the state’s savings to a fund for Hurricane Helene relief, but also undermines several of the powers of incoming Democrats.
—Jack Birle, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Dec. 2024
Elsewhere, however, Headland’s TV training undermines her.
—Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
Corina Vanek, The Arizona Republic, 23 Dec. 2024
This lack of visibility undermines trust and raises concerns about data quality, privacy, and potential biases.
—Max (chong) Li, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Medicaid, originally designed to provide medical services to the most vulnerable, has been transformed into a bloated program that undermines its purpose, thanks to the misguided policies of the Biden administration.
—Gary D. Alexander, National Review, 22 Dec. 2024
In excess, however, envy fosters resentment, undermines collaboration and creates a divisive atmosphere where individuals work against each other rather than with one another.
—Sandro Da Silva, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
For decades, Turkey has been a strategic partner, but hosting groups like Hamas without clear steps toward dismantling their operations undermines that relationship.
—Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, 15 Dec. 2024
However, in the modern business world, this negativity bias often leads to flawed decision-making, stifles innovation, and undermines growth.
—Bryce Hoffman, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
As the western part of the state still recovers from Hurricane Helene, the state legislature approved a bill which transfers $227 million in funds from the state’s savings to a fund for Hurricane Helene relief, but also undermines several of the powers of incoming Democrats.
—Jack Birle, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Dec. 2024
Elsewhere, however, Headland’s TV training undermines her.
—Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermines
Verb
-
An easy monetary policy typically weakens a country’s currency, making exports cheaper and potentially supports growth in the face of tariffs.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Doing so weakens your home's heating system and is a fire hazard.—
Rabekah Henderson,
Southern Living,
20 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Jacobs and Booth argued that hiring David Geier compromises the integrity of the scientific process, erodes public trust, and provides a platform for unreliable information.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
9 Apr. 2025
-
This erodes financial aid eligibility, especially for middle-class families living in high-cost areas with high equity but limited liquidity.—
Ilona Limonta-Volkova,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 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
-
Neuroscience research has shown that stress impairs the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for logical decision-making.—
Margie Warrell,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undermines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermines. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share