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
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 June 2026
The concentration of power in one person, the undermining of elections, disregarding the rule of law, the weakening checks and balances, and replacing constitutional loyalty with personal loyalty.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
This is a direct undermining of the idea of art.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Long commute times are certainly frustrating, but continual undermining of mass transit projects isn’t going to solve the problem.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 Jan. 2026
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
Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026
Roboticists have long sought a compact, energy-efficient pumping technology that can be fully integrated into soft robotic systems without undermining the flexibility and adaptability that make soft robotics attractive in the first place.
—New Atlas, 12 June 2026
The goal was a technique that felt visually imaginative without undermining the credibility of the drama around it.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 June 2026
If intercepted, these tokens could be reused until their natural expiration, effectively undermining a core security control.
—Ethan M. Stone, USA Today, 9 June 2026
Oil seeped into the ground, undermining the street pavement.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 9 June 2026
There is also the risk that a micrometeoroid could punch a hole in one of the heat-resistant outer tiles on the Orion spacecraft, NASA's crew capsule for the agency's Artemis moon missions, undermining its ability to survive the intense furnace of reentry, per NASA.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 7 June 2026
Before the #MeToo era, Packwood stood out as an example of private behavior undermining a man’s public image.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
Reading these conversations feels like attending a party at which each new guest talks over the one before, disputing and undermining, gossiping and bringing into doubt the fundamental purpose of their coming together.
—Joe Dunthorne, The New York Review of Books, 6 June 2026
Noun
The fine reflected an improper disclosure of a draft candidate’s data and the undermining of trade secrets.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 June 2026
The concentration of power in one person, the undermining of elections, disregarding the rule of law, the weakening checks and balances, and replacing constitutional loyalty with personal loyalty.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
This is a direct undermining of the idea of art.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Long commute times are certainly frustrating, but continual undermining of mass transit projects isn’t going to solve the problem.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 Jan. 2026
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
Wembanyama now risks undermining much of that newfound goodwill.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026
Roboticists have long sought a compact, energy-efficient pumping technology that can be fully integrated into soft robotic systems without undermining the flexibility and adaptability that make soft robotics attractive in the first place.
—New Atlas, 12 June 2026
The goal was a technique that felt visually imaginative without undermining the credibility of the drama around it.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 June 2026
If intercepted, these tokens could be reused until their natural expiration, effectively undermining a core security control.
—Ethan M. Stone, USA Today, 9 June 2026
Oil seeped into the ground, undermining the street pavement.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 9 June 2026
There is also the risk that a micrometeoroid could punch a hole in one of the heat-resistant outer tiles on the Orion spacecraft, NASA's crew capsule for the agency's Artemis moon missions, undermining its ability to survive the intense furnace of reentry, per NASA.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 7 June 2026
Before the #MeToo era, Packwood stood out as an example of private behavior undermining a man’s public image.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
Reading these conversations feels like attending a party at which each new guest talks over the one before, disputing and undermining, gossiping and bringing into doubt the fundamental purpose of their coming together.
—Joe Dunthorne, The New York Review of Books, 6 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermining
Noun
-
Native plants, erosion control, a picnic area, restrooms, an overlook and natural-looking playground equipment all rose to the top.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
-
The likely outcome is not withdrawal but gradual erosion of influence in favor of rivals playing the longer game.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Yet the extremist group has mobilized its members and media outlets to ramp up criticism of the agreement, heaping pressure on Iranian negotiators who have been attempting to extract concessions from a US administration intent on weakening – and possibly ending – the Islamic Republic.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
After reaching record levels in the 1990s and 2000s, deforestation declined until the 2019-2022 term of then President Jair Bolsonaro, whose government was widely criticized for weakening environmental protections.—
Gabriela Sa Pessoa,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Elsewhere in Times Square, officers moved in after a crowd began damaging a parked school bus, tearing off part of its hood, CNN’s Mark Morales reported.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
When guests feel misled — even unintentionally — brands pay through lower return rates, weaker relationships, greater skepticism, and damaging reviews.—
Teresa Mackintosh,
Fortune,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
Chronic stress is eroding sleep, focus and mood for millions of Americans — and the cheapest, fastest counterweight may already be sitting in your sneakers.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 June 2026
-
What registers to most as an economic or human rights issue is, in practice, also one of the most undercounted public health crises quietly eroding our collective well-being.—
Nicole F. Roberts,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
He was charged last week with impairing or interrupting operation of critical infrastructure facility.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
-
Abdulrahman Oriyomi, 25, was charged with felony impairing or interrupting operation of a critical infrastructure facility last week and was booked into jail in Harris County, Texas, on Friday, according to court records.—
Sneha Dhandapani,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
To that end, members of Forbes Human Resources Council share their strategies for using AI to keep projects moving during peak vacation months without compromising employee well-being.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
Part of that process involved Quenda embarking on a rigorous programme of nutrition and muscle development aimed at better equipping him to handle the greater degree of physicality in Premier League football without compromising his speed or agility.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undermining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermining. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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