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.
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Recent Examples of undermines
But the prospect of it undermines the premise of the Alt5-World Liberty deal.
—
Matt Peterson, CNBC, 9 June 2026
The brief would endorse the NCAA’s legal position and maintain that Sorsby’s eligibility undermines important values in collegiate sports.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 June 2026
Pointing to Florida as a model, Benson argued that California’s prolonged vote counting undermines public confidence and contrasts poorly with states that report results quickly and efficiently.
—Kiara Moore, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2026
Discretion exercised arbitrarily undermines it.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Daily News, 3 June 2026
That shift undermines federal goals for the U visa program, the DOJ said in a news release Tuesday.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 3 June 2026
Treating speech like violence undermines a free society.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 1 June 2026
Every touchpoint is a data point that either confirms or undermines what the brand says about itself.
—Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
The battlefield gridlock undermines Putin’s declared goal of quickly capturing the eastern Donetsk region still under Ukrainian control.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Matt Peterson, CNBC, 9 June 2026
The brief would endorse the NCAA’s legal position and maintain that Sorsby’s eligibility undermines important values in collegiate sports.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 June 2026
Pointing to Florida as a model, Benson argued that California’s prolonged vote counting undermines public confidence and contrasts poorly with states that report results quickly and efficiently.
—Kiara Moore, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2026
Discretion exercised arbitrarily undermines it.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Daily News, 3 June 2026
That shift undermines federal goals for the U visa program, the DOJ said in a news release Tuesday.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 3 June 2026
Treating speech like violence undermines a free society.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 1 June 2026
Every touchpoint is a data point that either confirms or undermines what the brand says about itself.
—Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
The battlefield gridlock undermines Putin’s declared goal of quickly capturing the eastern Donetsk region still under Ukrainian control.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermines
Verb
-
Breakage occurs when damage to the hair shaft weakens it, causing strands to snap off.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
8 June 2026
-
Technology was partly to blame for creating an environment which magnifies prejudices and weakens critical thinking, Leo said.—
Joshua McElwee,
USA Today,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
That erodes trust in the fairness of our elections and weakens confidence in our democracy.—
The Editorial Board,
Daily News,
29 May 2026
-
In no uncertain terms, the absence of those issues is bewildering, erodes the entire report’s credibility, and demands an explanation.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Unfortunately, substance use impairs judgment, increases impulsivity and amplifies vulnerability to a range of other high-risk behaviors and harms.—
Beverly Kingston,
The Conversation,
9 June 2026
-
If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Over time, that persistent immune activation can create chronic inflammation that damages blood vessels and increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and blood clots.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
9 June 2026
-
Kidneys and livers often need to be transplanted together as liver failure often damages kidneys.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undermines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermines. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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