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
For Allen, this legal tool disproportionately undermines Black communities, eroding generational wealth and disconnecting families from their neighborhoods.
—
Essence, 1 Oct. 2025
The survey also undermines the argument that tariffs will simply be a one-time price adjustment.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
Legal experts note that autopen use is acceptable so long as the president directs it, but Trump insists its deployment in Biden’s final days undermines the validity of those actions.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
But disinformation undermines advocacy for systemic changes and attention and resources from what actually improves quality of life for all people, including support, services, accommodations, and rights.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
Independent producers are also concerned about the opening up of EU support to to non-European entities, saying that by allowing third-country entities to benefit from funding undermines cultural sovereignty and exposes the sector to further market concentration in favour of global giants.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 22 Sep. 2025
Police accountability advocates say Missouri’s system undermines public safety and trust.
—Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2025
The risk, however, is that chasing approval undermines authority.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Critics argue the policy undermines free speech and academic freedom under the guise of protecting Jewish students.
—Jason Derose, NPR, 17 Sep. 2025
Essence, 1 Oct. 2025
The survey also undermines the argument that tariffs will simply be a one-time price adjustment.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
Legal experts note that autopen use is acceptable so long as the president directs it, but Trump insists its deployment in Biden’s final days undermines the validity of those actions.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
But disinformation undermines advocacy for systemic changes and attention and resources from what actually improves quality of life for all people, including support, services, accommodations, and rights.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
Independent producers are also concerned about the opening up of EU support to to non-European entities, saying that by allowing third-country entities to benefit from funding undermines cultural sovereignty and exposes the sector to further market concentration in favour of global giants.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 22 Sep. 2025
Police accountability advocates say Missouri’s system undermines public safety and trust.
—Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2025
The risk, however, is that chasing approval undermines authority.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Critics argue the policy undermines free speech and academic freedom under the guise of protecting Jewish students.
—Jason Derose, NPR, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermines
Verb
-
Yuhas said rubbing could trigger keratoconus, an eye condition that weakens the cornea.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
30 Sep. 2025
-
And the thymus gland, the producer of white blood cells, shrinks and weakens over time.—
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira,
Flow Space,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
If the veracity and reliability of government data are regularly criticized and devalued by the administration anytime the facts contradict the administration’s positions, and those who speak out are at risk of losing their jobs, trust in all government data, and the agencies themselves, erodes.—
Sheldon Jacobson,
Twin Cities,
25 Sep. 2025
-
That erodes public trust in the armed forces.—
Kristina Mani,
The Conversation,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Ten percent impairs performance and leaves you dizzy and faint.—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Feinerman explained that dryness in the eyes can cause an inflammatory response that damages the pigment layer of the macula, accelerating eye aging.—
Claire Bugos,
Verywell Health,
25 Sep. 2025
-
These instructions help turn off the harmful protein that damages brain cells.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undermines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermines. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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