undoing

noun

un·​do·​ing ˌən-ˈdü-iŋ How to pronounce undoing (audio)
1
: an act of loosening : unfastening
2
: ruin
also : a cause of ruin
greed was to prove his undoing
3

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 As Mercury and Jupiter clash, arrogance can be your undoing. USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2024 Cronin said his team’s cratering from its early double-digit lead was reminiscent of its road loss to Arizona, when mounting fouls on the Bruins were a big part of their undoing. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 The Panthers' inability to defend without fouling was ultimately their undoing. Journal Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2024 Laporta is a known admirer of the German school of modern day coaches, whose work has been the undoing of Barca in the Champions League on various occasions in recent years. Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 Positioning Robin as an unheeded prophetess and an eventual participant in Ethan’s undoing is a smart way to explore the sexism of the media world at the time. Jesse Green, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2024 That decision not to speak up about the incident proved the company’s undoing. Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Feb. 2024 Yet her fierce rivalry with Connor wasn’t Henry’s ultimate undoing—that came via a betrayal even closer to home. Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Nov. 2023 Eventually, their relationship becomes Macchiarini’s undoing, exposing his global web of lies and deadly deceit. Vulture, 21 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'undoing.' 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

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of undoing was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near undoing

Cite this Entry

“Undoing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undoing. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

undoing

noun
un·​do·​ing ˌən-ˈdü-iŋ How to pronounce undoing (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on undoing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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