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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Recent Examples of undermining
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
Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Layered onto all of this is a political system in which priorities flip every few years, undermining the long-term planning and financing that such megaprojects demand.
—Ben Jones, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Many pilgrims hailed it as a sign of welcome following Pope Francis’ 12-year papacy, while critics in Catholic media blasted the move as undermining church tradition.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
This is somebody who is undermining the health care system.
—Obed Manuel, NPR, 5 Sep. 2025
However, Garrett seems to want to have it both ways with the character (who’s writing her dissertation on virtue ethics), giving her integrity but then undermining her with doubts and eyeroll-inducing Gen Z clichés.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2025
Lawyers for Monarez and the four senior leaders who resigned pointed to the politicization of the agency under Kennedy as undermining their ability to make scientifically sound decisions.
—Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 29 Aug. 2025
We cannot be astonished to see the Supreme Court rubber-stamp nearly every effort by the right to expand executive power—including undermining the legitimacy of the lower courts.
—Stacey Abrams, Time, 28 Aug. 2025
Blaming young people's small luxuries for their inability to step onto the property ladder has always been a misplaced criticism, focusing on individuals' discretionary spending habits rather than systemic economic issues undermining their ability to save and build financial stability.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Noun
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
Conversely, tax noncompliance could be the death knell undermining an otherwise strong application.
—Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Layered onto all of this is a political system in which priorities flip every few years, undermining the long-term planning and financing that such megaprojects demand.
—Ben Jones, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Many pilgrims hailed it as a sign of welcome following Pope Francis’ 12-year papacy, while critics in Catholic media blasted the move as undermining church tradition.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025
This is somebody who is undermining the health care system.
—Obed Manuel, NPR, 5 Sep. 2025
However, Garrett seems to want to have it both ways with the character (who’s writing her dissertation on virtue ethics), giving her integrity but then undermining her with doubts and eyeroll-inducing Gen Z clichés.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2025
Lawyers for Monarez and the four senior leaders who resigned pointed to the politicization of the agency under Kennedy as undermining their ability to make scientifically sound decisions.
—Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 29 Aug. 2025
We cannot be astonished to see the Supreme Court rubber-stamp nearly every effort by the right to expand executive power—including undermining the legitimacy of the lower courts.
—Stacey Abrams, Time, 28 Aug. 2025
Blaming young people's small luxuries for their inability to step onto the property ladder has always been a misplaced criticism, focusing on individuals' discretionary spending habits rather than systemic economic issues undermining their ability to save and build financial stability.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermining
Noun
-
That erosion of belonging can undermine both trust and innovation.—
Matthew C. Meade,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Said to be the largest limestone arch in North America, the 215-foot-tall formation was created by erosion.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Then the hurricane continued on a more northward path around the islands and finally began weakening after powerful 145 mph winds tapered off.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Total job growth was revised lower by the largest amount in history, The revisions erased 911 thousand jobs over the full year period, adding to mounting concerns of a weakening labor market and fueling questions as to the reliability of monthly data being used to gauge employment.—
JJ Kinahan,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
China has rejected the accusation and accused the Philippines of damaging the coral reef ecosystem in the waterway instead.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
-
To get a much clearer look at its fine details and avoid damaging the specimen, the research team used highly powerful synchrotron CT scans from facilities in France and the UK.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Rising living costs, inflation eroding purchasing power, and longer life spans have all made stepping away from the workforce more difficult than ever.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Since 2019, cumulative inflation stands at 26%, eroding any real progress made through job-hopping or promotions.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The researchers speculate that increases in fine particulate matter could be reducing running performance by constricting blood vessels, increasing inflammation, and impairing lung and brain function, but further research is needed to pin down the exact mechanisms at play.—
Claire Maldarelli,
Scientific American,
28 Feb. 2025
-
First, the rules under which community associations operate emphasize the protections of the residents’ rights, while not unduly impairing the ability of the association to carry out their responsibilities to the community as a whole.—
Gary Singer,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Unit construction costs are estimated at $277,000, arriving at rents 40% below comparable market apartments, proving that pre-construction design work married with the right product with the right site can deliver lower cost without compromising investor yield.—
Jennifer Castenson,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Lovevook Laptop Tote Bag Looking stylish for work doesn’t have to mean compromising on function.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undermining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermining. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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