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

The coalition filed an amicus brief urging a federal judge in Idaho to block enforcement of the law while the lawsuit moves forward, arguing that the measure is unconstitutional and undermines the rights and safety of transgender students. — Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

In pastel on brown paper, the loose, gestural application further undermines the boundaries between bodies. — Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026

For now, the gap between intention and execution is real and quietly undermines OEMs in every sector. — Thomas Ryd, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Plenty of blame rests on scripts that refuse to define Robert in order to preserve his mysterious backstory, as well as direction that undermines the terror supposedly permeating Los Angeles. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026

Such an approach undermines confidence in FIFA’s governance framework and diminishes the authority of its statutory bodies. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 31 July 2026

The new law, however, includes a provision that critics say undermines privacy and threatens individual safety. — Aakash Hassan, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026

That perception damages public confidence and undermines the work of the many honest public servants who faithfully serve their communities. — Amy Elik, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026

State leaders have introduced Assembly Bill 1383, which undermines crucial PEPRA guardrails, granting an unfunded pension benefit increase to first responders by reducing their retirement age. — Zachary Christensen, Oc Register, 24 July 2026