as in to weaken
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 undermine
Liberal justices were concerned that reading the statute as requiring votes to be received on or by Election Day could undermine states’ efforts to expand voting access through early voting.
—
Jamie Rowen,
The Conversation,
2 July 2026
Alumni contend the investigation is politically motivated and misrepresents the law, aiming to undermine Yale's commitment to diversity.
—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
Lower interest rates expand profitability and are generally more politically popular than higher rates, but can undermine broader price stability in the economy when applied too broadly.
—
Dan Mangan,luke Fountain,kevin Breuninger,garrett Downs,ashley Capoot,justin Papp,
CNBC,
2 July 2026
Snow said Live Local undermines the city’s Miami 21 zoning code, approved in 2009 after five years of revisions and intensive public review.
—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for undermine
Jamie Rowen,
The Conversation,
2 July 2026
Alumni contend the investigation is politically motivated and misrepresents the law, aiming to undermine Yale's commitment to diversity.
—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2026
Lower interest rates expand profitability and are generally more politically popular than higher rates, but can undermine broader price stability in the economy when applied too broadly.
—
Dan Mangan,luke Fountain,kevin Breuninger,garrett Downs,ashley Capoot,justin Papp,
CNBC,
2 July 2026
Snow said Live Local undermines the city’s Miami 21 zoning code, approved in 2009 after five years of revisions and intensive public review.
—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for undermine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermine
Verb
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Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images BEIJING — China’s consumer spending slowdown persisted in June, with growth during one of the country’s largest online shopping festivals weakening sharply from a year earlier.
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All three of those protagonists have been weakened in their roles by what has gone on.
Verb
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The chronic disease, which impairs the body’s ability to properly regulate blood sugar, contributed to 94,445 deaths that year.
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The driver, 26-year-old Saah Foiyoe, was neither speeding nor impaired, according to police.
Verb
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But Koppl traced a distinctly American lineage through a chain of precedents dating back more than 50 years, each one further eroding the market discipline that profit-and-loss accountability is supposed to provide.
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Moscow says the strike was retaliation for Ukraine’s 40-day campaign on Russian oil refineries and supply lines, which has fueled shortages, hit Crimea and eroded battlefield momentum.
Verb
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Some of these storms could be severe and deliver damaging wind gusts, but any thunderstorm will contain lightning — a major danger for any outdoor activities, especially for anyone trying to escape the heat in or on the water.
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Diseases that damage the kidneys and impair their ability to filter blood were blamed for 55,081 deaths in 2024.
Verb
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Paired with the Arach&Cloz Crewneck Sweater and Cushionaire Weston Flats, this outfit has an air of sophistication without compromising its cool, casual comfort.
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Even professionals in their prime walked away rather than risk compromising their brains.
Cite this Entry
“Undermine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermine. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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