UNDERMINE Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'undermine' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of undermine are cripple , debilitate , disable , enfeeble , sap , and weaken . While all these words mean "to lose or cause to lose strength or vigor," undermine and sap suggest a weakening by something working surreptitiously and insidiously. // a poor diet undermines your health // drugs had sapped his ability to think

Q: When is 'cripple' a more appropriate choice than 'undermine'?

The meanings of cripple and undermine largely overlap; however, cripple implies causing a serious loss of functioning power through damaging or removing an essential part or element. // crippled by arthritis

Q: When can 'debilitate' be used instead of 'undermine'?

While the synonyms debilitate and undermine are close in meaning, debilitate suggests a less marked or more temporary impairment of strength or vitality. // the debilitating effects of surgery

Q: When could 'disable' be used to replace 'undermine'?

The words disable and undermine can be used in similar contexts, but disable suggests bringing about impairment or limitation in a physical or mental ability. // disabled by an injury sustained at work

Q: When is it sensible to use 'enfeeble' instead of 'undermine'?

Although the words enfeeble and undermine have much in common, enfeeble implies a condition of marked weakness and helplessness. // enfeebled by starvation

Q: When might 'weaken' be a better fit than 'undermine'?

The words weaken and undermine are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, weaken may imply loss of physical strength, health, soundness, or stability or of quality, intensity, or effective power. // a disease that weakens the body's defenses

undermine

verb

Definition of undermine

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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How is the word undermine distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of undermine are cripple, debilitate, disable, enfeeble, sap, and weaken. While all these words mean "to lose or cause to lose strength or vigor," undermine and sap suggest a weakening by something working surreptitiously and insidiously.

a poor diet undermines your health

drugs had sapped his ability to think

When is cripple a more appropriate choice than undermine?

The meanings of cripple and undermine largely overlap; however, cripple implies causing a serious loss of functioning power through damaging or removing an essential part or element.

crippled by arthritis

When can debilitate be used instead of undermine?

While the synonyms debilitate and undermine are close in meaning, debilitate suggests a less marked or more temporary impairment of strength or vitality.

the debilitating effects of surgery

When could disable be used to replace undermine?

The words disable and undermine can be used in similar contexts, but disable suggests bringing about impairment or limitation in a physical or mental ability.

disabled by an injury sustained at work

When is it sensible to use enfeeble instead of undermine?

Although the words enfeeble and undermine have much in common, enfeeble implies a condition of marked weakness and helplessness.

enfeebled by starvation

When might weaken be a better fit than undermine?

The words weaken and undermine are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, weaken may imply loss of physical strength, health, soundness, or stability or of quality, intensity, or effective power.

a disease that weakens the body's defenses

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of undermine According to Ipsos, 56 percent of Americans believe sports betting undermines the integrity of the games—up 19 percentage points since 2023. — Josh Appel, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026 The result is a political system in which a president can act in ways that may violate federal law, undermine democratic norms and encroach on Congress’ constitutional authority. — Stephanie A, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026 Research shows that these stops are disproportionately used to detain Black drivers, undermine the public’s trust in police and create unnecessary police encounters that can turn deadly. — Wendi C. Thomas, ProPublica, 26 Oct. 2026 Pereira has broadly disputed those allegations and characterized the ongoing scrutiny of his businesses as an effort to undermine his work as an exhibitor. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for undermine

Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermine

Verb

The regime remains capable of suppressing any organized resistance in the country, but the growing disaffection of the elite threatens to weaken the state from within.

— Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026
Eisenkot's allies could also try to reverse legislation advanced by Netanyahu's government that critics say weakened Israel's democratic institutions and judicial independence.

— Itay Stern, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of weaken

Verb

Casa Brera has accommodations for the hearing impaired and wheelchair accessible showers.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
In the brain, for example, elevated stress hormones can impair learning and memory by flooding the hippocampus with excitatory chemical signals.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of impair

Verb

With first-party fraud and friendly disputes eroding already thin retail margins, managing chargebacks requires far more than basic operational recovery.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026
The dispute comes as the initial surge of excitement surrounding Sanders’ arrival at Colorado has given way to struggles on the field, threatening to erode the program’s once-soaring band.

— Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of erode

Verb

The back seat was somewhat compromised in headroom and legroom (and torso room, thanks to a giant center console), but the car’s curves more than made up for its flaws—at least, from the driver’s seat.

— Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2026
But whether a particular company's systems were compromised — and whether customer data was exposed — depends on the circumstances of each case.

— Morgan Stephens, Baltimore Sun, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of compromise

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“Undermine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermine. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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