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
DeSantis said that provision requires lawmakers to consider race and undermines the Fair Districts Amendment as a whole — paving the legal pathway to getting around the state’s partisan gerrymandering ban altogether.
—
Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
Families and businesses cannot plan ahead, which undermines investment, growth, and prosperity.
—Gregg Nunziata, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Continuing down this path only increases uncertainty, undermines long-term infrastructure planning and grows the national debt.
—Andrew Stasiowski, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
The American Offshore Maritime Association on Friday, by contrast, said the waiver undermines the domestic shipping industry while failing to deliver benefits to consumers.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
This bug directs excess attention toward the needs and empowerment of the lower orders, which in turn undermines the ability of figures like Musk to build the future in their own image.
—Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
That sentiment was echoed by parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who said the US blockade of Iranian ports undermines the ceasefire.
—Charbel Mallo, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
In general, disclosing AI use decreases trust and undermines legitimacy.
—Andras Molnar, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026
Diverting those funds undermines both the intent of voters and the effectiveness of new legislative efforts.
—Heidi Williams, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
Families and businesses cannot plan ahead, which undermines investment, growth, and prosperity.
—Gregg Nunziata, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026
Continuing down this path only increases uncertainty, undermines long-term infrastructure planning and grows the national debt.
—Andrew Stasiowski, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
The American Offshore Maritime Association on Friday, by contrast, said the waiver undermines the domestic shipping industry while failing to deliver benefits to consumers.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
This bug directs excess attention toward the needs and empowerment of the lower orders, which in turn undermines the ability of figures like Musk to build the future in their own image.
—Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026
That sentiment was echoed by parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who said the US blockade of Iranian ports undermines the ceasefire.
—Charbel Mallo, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
In general, disclosing AI use decreases trust and undermines legitimacy.
—Andras Molnar, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026
Diverting those funds undermines both the intent of voters and the effectiveness of new legislative efforts.
—Heidi Williams, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermines
Verb
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Expanding nonmedical exemptions, however, weakens the very protections those medically vulnerable children depend on.—
Sarah Marsicek,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
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Critics say allowing the department to delay or sideline state investigations weakens one of the last independent checks on government lawyers.—
Jaclyn Diaz,
NPR,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Others warned holding funding flat without hearing the district’s needs erodes trust and leaves key decisions about staffing, resources and student support happening without transparency.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Apr. 2026
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Inflation erodes the coin’s buying power every year.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Lead impairs cognition and cadmium harms the kidneys.—
Anton L. Delgado,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
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About 6 million Americans had opioid use disorder — a problematic pattern of opioid use that significantly impairs or distresses a patient — as of 2022, according to the CDC.—
Amber Gaudet,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The water carries large amounts of ice that damages shores, infrastructure and homes.—
The Conversation,
The Conversation,
22 Apr. 2026
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More frequent use of marijuana also damages the brain’s working memory, which could lead to issues with safety, communications and work success, a 2025 study found.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undermines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermines. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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