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
This not only undermines local public media but also calls into question the wisdom of isolating Arkansas from a national network and associated resources that serve millions.
—
Arkansas Online, 15 Jan. 2026
Chronic stress keeps the nervous system stuck in a fight-or-flight state that quietly undermines physical progress before a workout even begins.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026
That preference, Cowen argues, quietly undermines central bank independence.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 13 Jan. 2026
Leadership that dismisses or undermines inclusion inflicts real harm on students, faculty, and staff.
—Wanda James, Denver Post, 13 Jan. 2026
Here, that balance of tones is somewhat restored in the second half of the season, after a revelation that establishes Dunk and Egg’s relevance to Westeros lore—and in doing so kind of undermines the show’s initial commitment to bringing the Thrones saga down to earth.
—Judy Berman, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
The ruling, which rejected allegations that the former CAA employees stole trade secrets, the source says, undermines some of the central claims in the agency’s case.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 9 Jan. 2026
This new research, along with several other studies from the past two years, undermines that metaphor.
—Alex Reisner, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2026
The property is located directly adjacent to NRG Stadium — proximity that largely undermines any potential for the Astrodome to reopen as a stadium.
—John Lomax V, Houston Chronicle, 7 Jan. 2026
Arkansas Online, 15 Jan. 2026
Chronic stress keeps the nervous system stuck in a fight-or-flight state that quietly undermines physical progress before a workout even begins.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026
That preference, Cowen argues, quietly undermines central bank independence.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 13 Jan. 2026
Leadership that dismisses or undermines inclusion inflicts real harm on students, faculty, and staff.
—Wanda James, Denver Post, 13 Jan. 2026
Here, that balance of tones is somewhat restored in the second half of the season, after a revelation that establishes Dunk and Egg’s relevance to Westeros lore—and in doing so kind of undermines the show’s initial commitment to bringing the Thrones saga down to earth.
—Judy Berman, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
The ruling, which rejected allegations that the former CAA employees stole trade secrets, the source says, undermines some of the central claims in the agency’s case.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 9 Jan. 2026
This new research, along with several other studies from the past two years, undermines that metaphor.
—Alex Reisner, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2026
The property is located directly adjacent to NRG Stadium — proximity that largely undermines any potential for the Astrodome to reopen as a stadium.
—John Lomax V, Houston Chronicle, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermines
Verb
-
An overreliance on tools weakens our civilization (and saps the film’s dramatic thrills).—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Ignoring this reality weakens any serious climate plan.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
An analysis published by CX Today found that when AI use is hidden, trust erodes quickly, even when outcomes are accurate.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Jan. 2026
-
Understanding that difference can prevent endless money conflicts because frugality builds a meaningful life, while cheapness slowly erodes joy.—
Brian Page,
CNBC,
26 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Russia’s second front The most dangerous front in Europe this year will shift from the trenches in Donetsk to the hybrid war between Russia and NATO as Vladimir Putin seeks to erode European support for Ukraine before economic strain impairs his ability to prosecute the hot war.—
Ian Bremmer,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
-
If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Political interference in mergers and acquisitions approvals and daily operations repels foreign investment and damages confidence in market operations.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
-
This damages the trunk and leaves an ugly, elongated canker that invites insects and stresses the tree, leading to stunted growth, sparse foliage, and stem dieback.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undermines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermines. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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