as in weakened
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 undermined
Trump’s decision to impose several rounds of tariffs on major trade partners has undermined confidence in economic growth in the US and the value of its currency.
—
Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
The executive director and employees used hundreds of thousands of dollars in government grants in ways that a top city official says undermined the anti-violence mission and should never have been allowed, according to a Washington Post investigation.
—Jenny Gathright, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
Three injuries in the same area were unlucky, but also undermined Villa’s hand in wanting to sign a replacement.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Banfield's at-times tense testimony comes after his attorney scrutinized the county's investigation into the defendant, arguing that officials, almost since the beginning, forced a theory that the husband had catfished and killed his wife, and ignored evidence that undermined that conclusion.
—Olivia Diaz The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
Warsh, a former Fed governor with a Wall Street background, has been critical of the central bank's handling of inflation in the past and told CNBC in July that its hesitancy to cut interest rates undermined its credibility.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
Instead of offering condolences or urging patience while an impartial probe runs its course, their push to preemptively exonerate the agents undermined an otherwise rigorous process meant to judge the use of lethal force according to the standards law enforcement is expected to uphold.
—Diane Goldstein, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Microsoft did some great engineering work with Windows on Arm for its Copilot Plus PCs, but it was undermined by Recall and the desperate need to push its Copilot AI into every single part of the OS.
—Tom Warren, The Verge, 29 Jan. 2026
Buffett highlighted the dilemma of addressing poverty in places where the rule of law is undermined by conflict, mentioning countries such as Congo or Sudan.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
The executive director and employees used hundreds of thousands of dollars in government grants in ways that a top city official says undermined the anti-violence mission and should never have been allowed, according to a Washington Post investigation.
—Jenny Gathright, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
Three injuries in the same area were unlucky, but also undermined Villa’s hand in wanting to sign a replacement.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Banfield's at-times tense testimony comes after his attorney scrutinized the county's investigation into the defendant, arguing that officials, almost since the beginning, forced a theory that the husband had catfished and killed his wife, and ignored evidence that undermined that conclusion.
—Olivia Diaz The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
Warsh, a former Fed governor with a Wall Street background, has been critical of the central bank's handling of inflation in the past and told CNBC in July that its hesitancy to cut interest rates undermined its credibility.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
Instead of offering condolences or urging patience while an impartial probe runs its course, their push to preemptively exonerate the agents undermined an otherwise rigorous process meant to judge the use of lethal force according to the standards law enforcement is expected to uphold.
—Diane Goldstein, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Microsoft did some great engineering work with Windows on Arm for its Copilot Plus PCs, but it was undermined by Recall and the desperate need to push its Copilot AI into every single part of the OS.
—Tom Warren, The Verge, 29 Jan. 2026
Buffett highlighted the dilemma of addressing poverty in places where the rule of law is undermined by conflict, mentioning countries such as Congo or Sudan.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermined
Verb
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Bass, who was politically weakened by her performance during the fire and its aftermath, was already facing more than two dozen challengers looking to oust her in the June 2 primary — the vast majority little known to the public and not expected to pose any threat.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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New York — US stocks dropped Thursday, continuing a recent patch of volatility, as Wall Street grappled with persistent nerves about artificial intelligence and economic data showed the labor market weakened over the past two months.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For years, the LDP has been weighed down by election losses, stubborn inflation and political scandals, which have eroded public trust even as its new leader’s popularity surges.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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Critics, however, countered that Kamau's political identity does not exempt him from basic legal standards and that the case was one of several controversies that eroded confidence in his administration.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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No American servicemembers were harmed, and no equipment was damaged during the incident, the statement continued.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
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Other studies have found a link between strokes that damaged the right uncinate fasciculus with loss of empathy, suggesting this tract somehow regulates emotions that affect moral conduct.—
Christopher M. Filley,
The Conversation,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This is Nissan’s premiere safety tech system, taking over braking and steering like an extra-smart cruise control, or if the driver is impaired or incapacitated.—
Kristin Shaw,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Play Now Court documents show Kazmierczak was convicted of driving while impaired in two separate incidents in 2010 and in 2009.—
Philip Wang,
Time,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Despite an oblique issue that limited his practice reps, Darnold did not seem especially compromised in Seattle’s first two playoff games.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
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What remains are memories and photographs—both of which can be quietly compromised by the presence of cell phones.—
Nikita Khanna,
Vogue,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Eventually, her health deteriorated to the point that Ingram left the team to see her back home in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.—
Joe Smith,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
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Since she was detained, Kordia’s faith has grown immensely, but her physical health has deteriorated, her cousin said.—
Rachel Royster
January 30,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undermined.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermined. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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