UNDERMINED Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

undermined

verb

past tense of undermine

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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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 undermined And for a team whose backup goalie severely undermined them last year, there may not be a worse option than Samuel Ersson in that spot. — Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 16 July 2026 South Africa closed its two major refineries in 2022 after new fuel regulations undermined their commercial logic. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 15 July 2026 Her series on school segregation, Nice White Parents, examined how progressive Brooklyn families undermined racial integration. — Literary Hub, 15 July 2026 The district argued that the addition of gender identity undermined Title IX’s original intent to provide equal access to educational programs for women. — Mary Ella Hastings july 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026 His fixation on the bill — which lacks enough GOP support in the Senate — has undermined unrelated Republican priorities in both chambers and nearly paralyzed legislative business in the House. — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 13 July 2026 The abrupt departure of companies such as mining company Sherritt International and the SOL by Meliá hotel chain has undermined mining, tourism and energy in Cuba. — Juan Carlos Albarran, The Conversation, 13 July 2026 In its 34-32 first-round win over France, New Zealand revealed its intention to play at a high tempo, although its effort to do so was undermined by errors in handling, defense, in the aerial contest and in discipline. — ABC News, 11 July 2026 The Administration has already undermined the agreement in many ways, experts tell TIME, citing the discord in February, when the bloc had to freeze the implementation of the agreement after Trump made additional tariff threats. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 9 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermined

Verb

Researchers, educators, and policymakers questioned whether broadcasting encouraged juvenile delinquency, weakened family relationships, and gave governments and media organizations unprecedented influence over public opinion.

— Michael Edmondson, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Hochul, who weakened the state’s climate goals and signed off on new gas pipelines, is again an example.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of weakened

Verb

This smoke has eroded decades of air quality improvements in parts of the US, particularly in the West.

— Brandon Miller, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Within a few months of Shapiro’s arrival, the behavior eroded any trust that employee had in the surgeon and raised a unique concern for the first time in that employee’s career.

— Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 16 July 2026

Definition of eroded

Verb

Kuwait has borne the brunt of Iranian strikes, with a desalination plant and oil refinery damaged.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Overnight strikes damaged two tunnels and a bridge, disrupting a main highway toward Bandar Abbas, Iran's main port that sits near the narrowest part of the strait, according to IRNA.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 July 2026

Definition of damaged

Verb

Officer Michael Ciarleglio was charged with driving while impaired, according to a police news release.

— Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026
Alcalde, who police said also appeared impaired during the first stop, was sent home in a rideshare while the Jeep was moved to a nearby parking lot instead of being towed.

— Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of impaired

Verb

Four ethics experts told ProPublica that by accepting the premium tickets Trusty and Carr compromised the FCC’s impartiality and should not take part in any upcoming decision on the merger.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026
In 2016, Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg’s Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest accounts were briefly compromised by a group called OurMine Team.

— Rachel Ventresca, Fortune, 16 July 2026

Definition of compromised

Verb

Zelenskyy said their relationship had deteriorated so badly that the two could no longer work together, but provided little additional explanation for removing Fedorov.

— Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026
In the ensuing decades after District 33 absorbed McAuley, the McAuley building deteriorated, with no significant maintenance done to it and no use other than for records and equipment storage.

— Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026

Definition of deteriorated

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“Undermined.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermined. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of undermined

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