as in erosion
a gradual weakening, loss, or destruction
the view that the constant mudslinging and negative campaigning contributes to the undermining of the public's faith in politics and government
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in weakening
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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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of undermining
John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
The undermining of an independent judiciary.
—Richard Stengel, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
What is required is a pullback - on huge deficits, on aggravating international and internal relationships, and on the undermining of historical foundations of the United States.
—John S. Tobey, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Flores and Cantello also said many of their colleagues were placed on administrative leave after signing a letter of dissent criticizing EPA leadership’s undermining of public trust and disregard for scientific consensus.
—William Tong, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025
Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
The Curse builds a complex internal mythology using clips from fake reality TV series and faux newscasts, steadily undermining the viewer's sense of reality by combining sinister figures from Japanese folklore with an overwhelming sense of impending doom.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Many worry that the very tools elevating their careers today may be undermining their job security tomorrow.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
The day after making that declaration on social media, the president’s administration cut funding for broadband expansion, further undermining states’ efforts to bring broadband to rural areas.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2025
Trump has a recent history of stirring the pot, undermining the diplomatic victories Bessent and Greer secured with China.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
See video … WATCH TULSI GABBARD – Dem Party is undermining the very foundation of America.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Our tech companies are a threat vector undermining not only our own society but also our democratic allies.
—John Wihbey, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
But while prosecutors and law enforcement continue doing the hard work of keeping Orange County safe, the County CEO appears intent on undermining that success.
—Todd Spitzer, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
What is the purpose of this layering and undermining of the story’s authenticity?
—John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
The undermining of an independent judiciary.
—Richard Stengel, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
What is required is a pullback - on huge deficits, on aggravating international and internal relationships, and on the undermining of historical foundations of the United States.
—John S. Tobey, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Flores and Cantello also said many of their colleagues were placed on administrative leave after signing a letter of dissent criticizing EPA leadership’s undermining of public trust and disregard for scientific consensus.
—William Tong, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
As a result, parents who schedule vacations during the school year often find themselves at odds with both attendance policies and administrators like Johnson, who see such decisions as undermining classroom continuity and accountability.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
The Curse builds a complex internal mythology using clips from fake reality TV series and faux newscasts, steadily undermining the viewer's sense of reality by combining sinister figures from Japanese folklore with an overwhelming sense of impending doom.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Many worry that the very tools elevating their careers today may be undermining their job security tomorrow.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
The day after making that declaration on social media, the president’s administration cut funding for broadband expansion, further undermining states’ efforts to bring broadband to rural areas.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2025
Trump has a recent history of stirring the pot, undermining the diplomatic victories Bessent and Greer secured with China.
—Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
See video … WATCH TULSI GABBARD – Dem Party is undermining the very foundation of America.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Our tech companies are a threat vector undermining not only our own society but also our democratic allies.
—John Wihbey, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
But while prosecutors and law enforcement continue doing the hard work of keeping Orange County safe, the County CEO appears intent on undermining that success.
—Todd Spitzer, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermining
Noun
-
Two of Africa’s longest-serving leaders secured extensions to their rule, cementing signs of democratic erosion on the continent.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Breaking waves will result in beach erosion with minor damage possible to dune structures.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Ocean acidification is weakening the teeth of sharks.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harpers Magazine,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The free-trade agenda sought to deregulate the labor market and prioritize market efficiency, strengthening the hands of employers and severely weakening union and social movements, as anti-free traders had predicted.—
Dónal Gill,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Many on the left have been in an uproar of late, accusing Trump of damaging White House history as construction begins on a new White House ballroom.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
-
People have filmed themselves shaving their heads, damaging property, ripping up passports and setting themselves on fire, The Sun reported, citing Ekaterina Mizulina, head of the Safe Internet League.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Higher insurance and financing costs would be reflected as a sanctions premium on Russian crude, widening the discount to Brent and eroding Russia’s net revenue, the analysis said.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
But Congress has increasingly rejected his agenda, underscoring his eroding grip on power.—
NPR,
NPR,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Wildlife exposed to oil and grease can suffer fatal effects — the substance can coat feathers and fur, impairing mobility and body temperature regulation, or smother aquatic plants that other species depend on for food and oxygen.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Air pollution, such as diesel exhaust, can have the opposite effect, impairing Treg cell function and contributing to inflammatory diseases such as asthma.—
Mitzi Nagarkatti,
The Conversation,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Last year’s Camerimage was engulfed in controversy after festival founder and CEO Marek Żydowicz published an Op-Ed that appeared to argue that admitting the work of more female cinematographers would mean compromising on artistic quality.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Yoon believes that by being so focused on product and not compromising on innovation has resulted in high customer loyalty, which in turn has helped fuel sustained growth.—
Kathryn Hopkins,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undermining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermining. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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