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 of undoing

• downfall
• destruction

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 repeal eliminates all greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and trucks and could unleash a broader undoing of climate regulations on stationary sources such as power plants and oil and gas facilities, experts say. —CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026

Shell’s fight with Cipriani, a notorious provocateur, may have been the proximate cause for his undoing. —Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026

But his conclusion that the Nazis were no different from anyone else proves to be his undoing. —Alice Kaplan, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026

But Stanton’s superiority also became her undoing. —Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for undoing

• accruing
• canoeing
• construing
• eschewing
• previewing
• pursuing
• renewing
• reviewing
• shampooing
• subduing
• tattooing
• unscrewing

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