undid
ˌən-ˈdid 
ˈən-
; undone
ˌən-ˈdən
ˈən-
; undoing
ˌən-ˈdü-iŋ
ˈən-
1
: to open or loose by releasing a fastening
2
: to make of no effect or as if not done : make null : reverse
3
a
: to ruin the worldly means, reputation, or hopes of
a politician undone by scandal
b
: to disturb the composure of : upset
she's come undone
c
: to come open or apart
Synonyms
Examples of undo in a Sentence
You can't undo the past.
The damage cannot be undone.
He was undone by greed.
Recent Examples on the Web
What’s more, AI is poised to disrupt how companies are structured in the future, undoing the typical organizational hierarchy.
—
Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 29 Nov. 2023
But the vines died within a few seasons, undone by unfamiliar pests like phylloxera, a tiny insect, or by the intemperately cold winters and hot summers.
—Alex Mayyasi, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Nov. 2023
Alliances form, are undone by events, or the crafty maneuvering of crafty maneuverers.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023
But, much of that work is undone by the appearance of Diana’s ghost, she who made headlines last month after news leaked that the princess would be shown speaking to Charles and the queen after her passing.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 17 Nov. 2023
The Apple Silicon-era refresh of these systems undoes all of the worst things about the 2016-to-2020 era of Mac design.
—Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 6 Nov. 2023
Georgia: State case on 2020 election The details: Trump faces 13 state charges for allegedly trying to undo the election results in that state.
—Perry Stein, Washington Post, 12 Nov. 2023
The whale’s description is a strong reminder that paleontology is a science carried out by people carrying their own biases and has struggled with a legacy of colonialism that is only just beginning to be undone.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Nov. 2023
Peltz campaigned for PepsiCo to undo its merger between Pepsi and Frito-Lay.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2023
See More
Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 29 Nov. 2023
But the vines died within a few seasons, undone by unfamiliar pests like phylloxera, a tiny insect, or by the intemperately cold winters and hot summers.
—Alex Mayyasi, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Nov. 2023
Alliances form, are undone by events, or the crafty maneuvering of crafty maneuverers.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023
But, much of that work is undone by the appearance of Diana’s ghost, she who made headlines last month after news leaked that the princess would be shown speaking to Charles and the queen after her passing.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 17 Nov. 2023
The Apple Silicon-era refresh of these systems undoes all of the worst things about the 2016-to-2020 era of Mac design.
—Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 6 Nov. 2023
Georgia: State case on 2020 election The details: Trump faces 13 state charges for allegedly trying to undo the election results in that state.
—Perry Stein, Washington Post, 12 Nov. 2023
The whale’s description is a strong reminder that paleontology is a science carried out by people carrying their own biases and has struggled with a legacy of colonialism that is only just beginning to be undone.
—Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Nov. 2023
Peltz campaigned for PepsiCo to undo its merger between Pepsi and Frito-Lay.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'undo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of undo was
before the 12th century
Dictionary Entries Near undo
Cite this Entry
“Undo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undo. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on undo
Nglish: Translation of undo for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of undo for Arabic Speakers
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