undoing

noun

un·​do·​ing ˌən-ˈdü-iŋ 

1

: an act of loosening : unfastening

2

: ruin

also : a cause of ruin

greed was to prove his undoing

3

: annulment, reversal

Synonyms

• death
• destruction
• downfall
• ruin
• ruination

Examples of undoing in a Sentence

My quick temper was my undoing.

His quick temper helped lead to his undoing.

The incident resulted in her undoing.

Recent Examples on the Web

The undoing of that compression will open the door to a new weather system that will be welcome for the region. —Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 11 July 2024

Patients must also make two trips at least 24 hours apart and receive an ultrasound, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Changes since Dobbs: The undoing of Roe v. Wade in 2022 led to a petition to remove an injunction on a 160-year-old law to ban abortions. —Kinsey Crowley, The Courier-Journal, 24 June 2024

The undoing of Fisker Inc. was more self-inflicted. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 June 2024

Or will his investigation into Stoller’s ex-husband’s disappearance as well as that of Melvin Suggs, Easy’s friend and an LAPD commander, be his undoing? —Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

undoing

noun

un·​do·​ing ˌən-ˈdü-iŋ 

1

: an act or instance of unfastening

2

a

: ruin entry 1 sense 1

parental neglect helped lead to their undoing

b

: a cause of ruin

my quick temper was my undoing

3

: reversal, annulment