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
Union leaders are harassed and arrested, workplaces remain perilous, and bargaining is undermined by intimidation and retaliation.
—
Tharo Khun, Sourcing Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
Among them were her dissatisfaction with celebrity culture, her sense that her dignity was being undermined by the media — and, crucially, a gesture toward Cydney Bernard, whom Foster thanked by name and identified as her ex-partner and co-parent.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
The superstitious beliefs need to be undermined, to have their error made clear.
—Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
What’s more, in an effort to conserve cash, Saks made some key mistakes that undermined the brands’ power, robbing stores of the sense of fun and wonder that is key for a luxury retailer.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
Finally, the agency’s long-term legitimacy may be undermined.
—Karl W. Bickel, Baltimore Sun, 6 Jan. 2026
Adopting the Southern view, the Supreme Court issued opinions that severely undermined the legal architecture of Reconstruction.
—Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Adams himself chose not to run in the Democratic primary and initially mounted an independent campaign, but suspended his campaign in late September, saying that media speculation and funds withheld by the city's campaign finance board undermined his ability to fundraise.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2025
Debts are massive and while that isn’t bad in and of itself, the club’s grim past finances have undermined future confidence.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Tharo Khun, Sourcing Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
Among them were her dissatisfaction with celebrity culture, her sense that her dignity was being undermined by the media — and, crucially, a gesture toward Cydney Bernard, whom Foster thanked by name and identified as her ex-partner and co-parent.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
The superstitious beliefs need to be undermined, to have their error made clear.
—Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
What’s more, in an effort to conserve cash, Saks made some key mistakes that undermined the brands’ power, robbing stores of the sense of fun and wonder that is key for a luxury retailer.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
Finally, the agency’s long-term legitimacy may be undermined.
—Karl W. Bickel, Baltimore Sun, 6 Jan. 2026
Adopting the Southern view, the Supreme Court issued opinions that severely undermined the legal architecture of Reconstruction.
—Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Adams himself chose not to run in the Democratic primary and initially mounted an independent campaign, but suspended his campaign in late September, saying that media speculation and funds withheld by the city's campaign finance board undermined his ability to fundraise.
—Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2025
Debts are massive and while that isn’t bad in and of itself, the club’s grim past finances have undermined future confidence.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermined
Verb
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The influence of the Iranian regime has also been substantially weakened compared to previous periods of unrest, in the wake of Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
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More than 500 people are reported to have died as the regime — weakened by sanctions, economic stagnation, and recent attacks by the US and Israel — moved against the demonstrations, the most serious threat against the authorities in years.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But police-reform advocates say the momentum for change after Floyd’s death has stalled — and in some cases reversed — as transparency by law-enforcement agencies across the Bay Area and the nation has steadily eroded.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Consumers have remained reluctant to spend amid an uncertain employment outlook and a prolonged property crisis that has eroded household wealth.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The 13 apartments were damaged by fire, smoke or water.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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But overloading the dishwasher can result in dirty dishes that need to be put through a second cycle to get clean, and dishes that are crammed in may become damaged.—
Elizabeth Brownfield,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The driver of a 2024 Chevrolet Malibu was not impaired and was uninjured, police said.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Volunteers are needed to guide blind and visually-impaired hikers on a gentle hike from Franklin’s Cafe & Market to a heliport in the park.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Those claims were submitted using personal identifying information from people who were unaware that their identities were compromised and had not authorized someone to file claims on their behalf.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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Removing personal information from data broker sites can reduce the impact if login details are compromised and limit how far an attack can spread.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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At the time, Denver’s Landmark Preservation office told the Denver Gazette that the old neon was too deteriorated to restore.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The already-frosty relationship between Devers and the front office deteriorated to an irreparable level in May, when Triston Casas suffered a season-ending knee injury.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undermined.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermined. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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