Synonyms of undermines

undermines

verb

present tense third-person singular of undermine

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.

Related Words

• weakens
• erodes
• impairs
• damages
• compromises
• deteriorates
• destroys
• hurts
• injures
• cripples
• vitiates
• harms
• disfigures
• enfeebles
• enervates
• flaws
• shatters
• spoils
• defaces
• tarnishes
• crosses (up)
• mars
• breaks
• bloodies
• blights
• scours
• wears (away)
• washes out
• blemishes
• ruins
• crabs
• demolishes
• disables
• botches
• devastates
• endamages
• mutilates
• dents
• lacerates
• annihilates
• wounds
• mangles
• tortures
• decimates
• dings
• maims
• wrecks
• gums (up)
• torments
• pulverizes
• queers
• wastes
• clobbers
• smashes
• crushes
• wipes out
• hamstrings
• razes
• bashes
• dints
• desolates
• totals
• lames
• tears down
• does in
• dashes
• batters
• scourges
• bangs up

Dissimilar Words

• helps
• heals
• rehabilitates
• rectifies
• cures
• improves
• enhances
• revises
• remedies
• enriches
• refines
• edits
• ameliorates
• perfects
• remodels
• repairs
• betters
• reconstructs
• doctors
• rebuilds
• fixes
• renovates
• reconditions
• mends
• revamps
• patches
• meliorates

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of undermines

Such an approach undermines confidence in FIFA’s governance framework and diminishes the authority of its statutory bodies. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 31 July 2026

The new law, however, includes a provision that critics say undermines privacy and threatens individual safety. — Aakash Hassan, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026

That perception damages public confidence and undermines the work of the many honest public servants who faithfully serve their communities. — Amy Elik, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026

State leaders have introduced Assembly Bill 1383, which undermines crucial PEPRA guardrails, granting an unfunded pension benefit increase to first responders by reducing their retirement age. — Zachary Christensen, Oc Register, 24 July 2026

The San Francisco arts community has long prized its bohemia (which dates back to the late 1870s); and the past few months its members have accused the AI entrepreneurs and their ecosystem of bringing an emphasis on commerce that undermines bohemia. — Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

His showy action on the flyovers undermines that culture, too. — Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 22 July 2026

Najmi’s dual role as a lawyer practicing before city judges and as chair of the screening committee creates at least the appearance of a conflict of interest that undermines the very purpose of the committee’s existence. — Christian Browne, New York Daily News, 18 July 2026

Reducing legitimate scientific disagreement to accusations of prejudice undermines that effort. — Torie Bosch, STAT, 18 July 2026