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
This has undermined its credibility among investors too.
—
Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 12 May 2026
Alabama had asked the Supreme Court to move quickly on the appeals following its landmark ruling last month that undermined Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 11 May 2026
In the process, delivery apps shifted consumer behavior and undermined a longstanding and once-sustainable business model.
—Shannon Keating, Time, 8 May 2026
And while the law largely governs toxins, the rollback has also undermined action on climate change, including repealing the legal theory used to classify greenhouse gas emissions like carbon dioxide as regulated pollutants.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 8 May 2026
Clark spent more than 22 years in prison before new DNA testing undermined key evidence used to convict him.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
The Venice Biennale previewed its 61st and most chaotic edition ever on Tuesday, just days after the unprecedented resignation of its jury over the participation of Israel and Russia undermined the very structure of the world’s oldest contemporary art exhibition.
—ABC News, 5 May 2026
Louisiana sued to restrict access to mifepristone, asserting that its availability undermined the ban there.
—Mark Sherman, Twin Cities, 4 May 2026
Through those observers, the radio station provided a play-by-play of Pirates home games, which was a practice that undermined the Pirates’ exclusive broadcasting deal with a different radio station.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 May 2026
Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 12 May 2026
Alabama had asked the Supreme Court to move quickly on the appeals following its landmark ruling last month that undermined Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 11 May 2026
In the process, delivery apps shifted consumer behavior and undermined a longstanding and once-sustainable business model.
—Shannon Keating, Time, 8 May 2026
And while the law largely governs toxins, the rollback has also undermined action on climate change, including repealing the legal theory used to classify greenhouse gas emissions like carbon dioxide as regulated pollutants.
—Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 8 May 2026
Clark spent more than 22 years in prison before new DNA testing undermined key evidence used to convict him.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026
The Venice Biennale previewed its 61st and most chaotic edition ever on Tuesday, just days after the unprecedented resignation of its jury over the participation of Israel and Russia undermined the very structure of the world’s oldest contemporary art exhibition.
—ABC News, 5 May 2026
Louisiana sued to restrict access to mifepristone, asserting that its availability undermined the ban there.
—Mark Sherman, Twin Cities, 4 May 2026
Through those observers, the radio station provided a play-by-play of Pirates home games, which was a practice that undermined the Pirates’ exclusive broadcasting deal with a different radio station.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermined
Verb
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People who have weakened immune systems and who experienced intense pain during an initial outbreak are also more susceptible to getting shingles a second (or even third) time.—
Petra Guglielmetti,
Glamour,
7 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, the institutional guardrails have been weakened.—
Israel Melendez Ayala,
Time,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
As a result, economists have said these sanctions have eroded favorability toward the dollar from some of America’s adversaries.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
-
Giuliani’s time in office was marked by a crackdown on crime, but race relations eroded as Giuliani defended the police against accusations of bias and brutality.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Still vehicle electronics can be damaged from reverse polarity, poor or wrong connection points or voltage spikes from improper equipment.—
Hartford Courant,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
-
The surge triggered severe erosion, damaged the powerhouse and nearby switchyards, washed debris into the North Yuba River and destroyed portions of Lake Francis Road.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Police noted that there is no indication alcohol or drugs impaired any of the motorists.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
-
Officers said the driver of the Charger was placed under arrest at the hospital, saying she was impaired during the crash.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Cybersecurity experts say anyone who may have been compromised should change their password for Canvas and their bank accounts.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
-
Although some personal information associated with user accounts may have been involved, the company said there was no evidence that passwords, social security numbers, financial information or other highly sensitive data had been compromised.—
Tarini Mehta,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Even the city emblem right in front of City Hall is deteriorated.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
-
Mohammadi, who has been imprisoned in Zanjan Prison in the northwest since her arrest in December, was transferred last Friday to a local hospital after her health sharply deteriorated.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undermined.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermined. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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