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
Hybe refused, and in response, the members of NewJeans went public with multiple complaints against the label, which included claims that Hybe had deliberately undermined their careers.
—
Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
And the facts are the Cuban regime has undermined democracies in our hemisphere.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Congress was moved to act at the urging of the major pro leagues’ commissioners, who testified in 1991 that sports betting undermined the integrity of games and invited corrupt influences.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Oct. 2025
That would have underscored the Post’s independence, not undermined it.
—Jimmy Wales, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
One, David Hilton, undermined his predecessor and then went down in flames.
—Tom Freston, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2025
The students, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, described feelings of unbelonging and experiences that undermined the idea that the school community is tolerant of all political ideologies.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Paramount over the years changed the name and mission of the cable outlet now known as Paramount Network — it was known in different iterations as The Nashville Network, The National Network and Spike TV — and each overhaul undermined its brand in the overall media marketplace.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
Congressional Democrats said Nixon undermined the White House’s heritage to suit his media strategy with the $574,000 project, according to the historical association.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
And the facts are the Cuban regime has undermined democracies in our hemisphere.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Congress was moved to act at the urging of the major pro leagues’ commissioners, who testified in 1991 that sports betting undermined the integrity of games and invited corrupt influences.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Oct. 2025
That would have underscored the Post’s independence, not undermined it.
—Jimmy Wales, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
One, David Hilton, undermined his predecessor and then went down in flames.
—Tom Freston, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2025
The students, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, described feelings of unbelonging and experiences that undermined the idea that the school community is tolerant of all political ideologies.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Paramount over the years changed the name and mission of the cable outlet now known as Paramount Network — it was known in different iterations as The Nashville Network, The National Network and Spike TV — and each overhaul undermined its brand in the overall media marketplace.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
Congressional Democrats said Nixon undermined the White House’s heritage to suit his media strategy with the $574,000 project, according to the historical association.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermined
Verb
-
His paws began to knuckle and his back legs weakened.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
-
In addition to the GOP leaders, most rank-and-file Senate Republicans also oppose repealing the filibuster that’s been slowly weakened by both parties in recent decades for Executive Branch and judicial nominees.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Conservation is of major concern in this case, as the Aptostichus ramirezae species' habitat is being rapidly eroded and reduced by rising sea levels, urban development and wildfires.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
-
In particular, the city’s stormwater system is failing as pipes have eroded and caused sinkholes to pop up in some parts of the city.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The sauna business will launch at Hart Park months after historic August flooding damaged and closed much of the 52-acre park, which is located on a floodplain.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Stop Fertilizing Fertilizing prompts new growth, and fall isn’t the time for crepe myrtle trees or shrubs to focus on developing new branches and leaves that can be damaged by winter freezes.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The 35-year-old is severely hearing impaired and has limited ability to speak.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Clausen allegedly had five of eight possible clues of driving while impaired during a walk and turn test, including losing balance while walking and starting before being told to begin, according to court documents.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If your address shows up, treat it as compromised.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Officials have said the country’s infrastructure has been compromised by flooding and damaging winds.—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Plus, the company outlook index deteriorated sharply, indicating an increasingly negative sentiment about future conditions.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
22 Oct. 2025
-
In the years before her death, Warren’s relationship with his mother had deteriorated.—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undermined.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermined. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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