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
Majumdar’s inconsistent world building ultimately undermines the reader’s ability to invest in the story.
—
Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 8 Nov. 2025
Polymer chains tend to slip during loading, which undermines the effective utilization of their high intrinsic mechanical properties, thereby limiting the strength and toughness of polymer fibers.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
And now, instead of constructive engagement or simply disengagement, America has demonstrated a trend toward behavior that undermines aggressive climate goals.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
That’s a solid dramatic question, but one that might’ve been more productive as an inciting incident, as too much of this low-budget drama shuffles around subjects that demand incisive action in 2025, effectively creating a subtle irony that undermines the film’s own point.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2025
Rural populations have been systemically neglected in policy and underreported in the media, and the perpetuation of visual stereotypes further undermines their struggles.
—William Jones, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
At a time of crisis in countries ranging from Afghanistan to Venezuela to Sudan and beyond, concentrating the vast majority of admissions on one group undermines the program’s purpose as well as its credibility.
—Mariam Khan, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2025
Their failure to do so undermines public trust in both the election process and the integrity of the institution itself.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
The rising intolerance that results erodes social cohesion, undermines support for democratic norms and weakens trust in institutions.
—Andrew Rojecki, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 8 Nov. 2025
Polymer chains tend to slip during loading, which undermines the effective utilization of their high intrinsic mechanical properties, thereby limiting the strength and toughness of polymer fibers.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
And now, instead of constructive engagement or simply disengagement, America has demonstrated a trend toward behavior that undermines aggressive climate goals.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
That’s a solid dramatic question, but one that might’ve been more productive as an inciting incident, as too much of this low-budget drama shuffles around subjects that demand incisive action in 2025, effectively creating a subtle irony that undermines the film’s own point.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2025
Rural populations have been systemically neglected in policy and underreported in the media, and the perpetuation of visual stereotypes further undermines their struggles.
—William Jones, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
At a time of crisis in countries ranging from Afghanistan to Venezuela to Sudan and beyond, concentrating the vast majority of admissions on one group undermines the program’s purpose as well as its credibility.
—Mariam Khan, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2025
Their failure to do so undermines public trust in both the election process and the integrity of the institution itself.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
The rising intolerance that results erodes social cohesion, undermines support for democratic norms and weakens trust in institutions.
—Andrew Rojecki, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermines
Verb
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Lee was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at age 2, a degenerative disease that gradually weakens muscles.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
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Unlike some of the burger chain’s peers, Cramer said McDonald’s has immense scale and strength and is making an effort to lower prices as consumer spending weakens.—
Julie Coleman,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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For any administration to treat them that way erodes our national security and flies in the face of Congress’ constitutional obligation to oversee matters of war and peace.—
Luis Martinez,
ABC News,
29 Oct. 2025
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When the only people receiving relief are celebrities, political insiders or headline-makers, public confidence erodes.—
Khalil Cumberbatch,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Key Takeaways Short-term, alcohol slows brain processing, triggers the reward system, reduces stress and pain, impairs spatial thinking, and can cause memory lapses or blackouts.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
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Lead is a neurotoxin that impairs brain development.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Brain scans revealed the severity of the bleeds and whether patients showed signs of cerebral small vessel disease, a condition that damages tiny blood vessels in the brain and is linked to aging, high blood pressure and dementia.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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Long-term, alcohol damages the brain by shrinking white and gray matter, dulling rewards, and overactivating the stress system.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undermines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermines. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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