Synonyms of undermines

undermines

verb

present tense third-person singular of undermine

as in weakens

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.

Related Words

• weakens
• erodes
• impairs
• damages
• compromises
• deteriorates
• destroys
• hurts
• injures
• cripples
• vitiates
• harms
• disfigures
• enfeebles
• enervates
• flaws
• shatters
• spoils
• defaces
• tarnishes
• crosses (up)
• mars
• breaks
• bloodies
• blights
• scours
• wears (away)
• washes out
• blemishes
• ruins
• crabs
• demolishes
• disables
• botches
• devastates
• endamages
• mutilates
• dents
• lacerates
• annihilates
• wounds
• mangles
• tortures
• decimates
• dings
• maims
• wrecks
• gums (up)
• torments
• pulverizes
• queers
• wastes
• clobbers
• smashes
• crushes
• wipes out
• hamstrings
• razes
• bashes
• dints
• desolates
• totals
• lames
• tears down
• does in
• dashes
• batters
• scourges
• bangs up

Dissimilar Words

• helps
• heals
• rehabilitates
• rectifies
• cures
• improves
• enhances
• revises
• remedies
• enriches
• refines
• edits
• ameliorates
• perfects
• remodels
• repairs
• betters
• reconstructs
• doctors
• rebuilds
• fixes
• renovates
• reconditions
• mends
• revamps
• patches
• meliorates

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of undermines

His silly walk undermines not only his dignified wardrobe but also the very idea of a professional persona. — Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2026

That undermines the important fight against genuine antisemitism. — Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2026

Meanwhile, Jim Williams’ score effectively undermines the beauty parlour as a place of pre-wedding excitement and anticipation with discordant electro-pop — just ever so slightly suggesting that nothing good is set to happen here. — Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2026

The action sequences, meanwhile, are bloody but sterile and neat in a way that undermines the film’s wannabe grindhouse efforts. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026

But, of course, the appearances surrounding her relationship with Vrabel undermines our audience’s confidence in her impartiality. — Mike Semel, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

The Board’s decision to retain Cornell as Executive Chairman, rather than appoint an independent chair, undermines its claim to a genuine management reset—particularly given that new CEO Michael Fiddelke is a 20+ year Target insider and former COO. — Tejal Patel, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

An overly aggressive posture undermines the partnership the city has worked to secure through 2030. — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026

Criminalizing editorial judgment sets a dangerous precedent and undermines Bangladesh’s reputation as a democracy. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026