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
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
This undermines the religious liberty not only of non-Christian Americans but also of mainline Protestants, non-MAGA Catholics, and Black church traditions.
—Rev. Nathan Empsall, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 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
Using such authentication increases trust in genuine images, and undermines fakes.
—Nikita Ostrovsky, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
When structured well, private debt aligns incentives, not undermines them.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
Harpviken’s cute phone call undermines its power.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Both liberals and conservatives now reshape government through executive power and Supreme Court rulings instead of formal amendments, which undermines democratic participation.
—Big Think, 10 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, another kind of natural fatty acid undermines these cells and may diminish the body's ability to stave off tumor growth.
—New Atlas, 9 Oct. 2025
Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
This undermines the religious liberty not only of non-Christian Americans but also of mainline Protestants, non-MAGA Catholics, and Black church traditions.
—Rev. Nathan Empsall, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 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
Using such authentication increases trust in genuine images, and undermines fakes.
—Nikita Ostrovsky, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
When structured well, private debt aligns incentives, not undermines them.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
Harpviken’s cute phone call undermines its power.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Both liberals and conservatives now reshape government through executive power and Supreme Court rulings instead of formal amendments, which undermines democratic participation.
—Big Think, 10 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, another kind of natural fatty acid undermines these cells and may diminish the body's ability to stave off tumor growth.
—New Atlas, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermines
Verb
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Without light and air, the grass weakens and dies instead of going into winter dormancy.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
30 Oct. 2025
-
For many shrubs, pruning in the fall weakens the plant by spurring tender new growth that is vulnerable to coming frosts.—
Erica Browne Grivas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Oct. 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
-
Lead is a neurotoxin that impairs brain development.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
17 Oct. 2025
-
If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The loss significantly damages Memphis’ American Conference and College Football Playoff hopes.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
-
An autoimmune condition that damages the stomach lining, like thyroid disease, can also cause atrophic gastritis.—
Carrie Madormo,
Health,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undermines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermines. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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