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 debt burden leads to higher stress and sleepless nights, and directly undermines the focus and efficiency of Americans in their prime working years.
—
Mary Moreland, Fortune, 17 May 2026
And the election data completely undermines the argument that voters were confused.
—Jovani Patterson, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2026
Keeping him on the roster undermines all of the recent progress ESPN has made.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
The action contends that the resulting damage to his reputation undermines his chances of reelection.
—Julie Carr Smyth, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Elsewhere on that flank, Pedro Lima and Rodrigo Gomes are talented players who, even allowing for the naivety of youth that sometimes undermines their efforts, Wolves are likely to want to keep for next season in the Championship.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Academic struggles Stoner’s career is briefly thwarted by Hollis Lomax, a fellow professor who undermines Stoner’s professional advancement.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
Annette Martínez-Orabona, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Puerto Rico, said abandoning an investigation into a fraudulent voting scheme in prisons undermines the trust of those who believe in democracy.
—Raquel Rutledge, ProPublica, 8 May 2026
Any deputy found engaging in behavior that undermines the integrity of the department will face appropriate discipline.
—Sierra Van Der Brug, Daily News, 4 May 2026
Mary Moreland, Fortune, 17 May 2026
And the election data completely undermines the argument that voters were confused.
—Jovani Patterson, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2026
Keeping him on the roster undermines all of the recent progress ESPN has made.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
The action contends that the resulting damage to his reputation undermines his chances of reelection.
—Julie Carr Smyth, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Elsewhere on that flank, Pedro Lima and Rodrigo Gomes are talented players who, even allowing for the naivety of youth that sometimes undermines their efforts, Wolves are likely to want to keep for next season in the Championship.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Academic struggles Stoner’s career is briefly thwarted by Hollis Lomax, a fellow professor who undermines Stoner’s professional advancement.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
Annette Martínez-Orabona, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Puerto Rico, said abandoning an investigation into a fraudulent voting scheme in prisons undermines the trust of those who believe in democracy.
—Raquel Rutledge, ProPublica, 8 May 2026
Any deputy found engaging in behavior that undermines the integrity of the department will face appropriate discipline.
—Sierra Van Der Brug, Daily News, 4 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermines
Verb
-
As complexity rises, decisions fragment, priorities shift and trust weakens.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Excluding unhoused people from public spaces reinforces stigma and weakens the social bonds that support stability and recovery.—
Shianne LeClaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Inconsistent tone weakens the brand, while inaccurate content or misaligned personalization erodes customer trust and costs conversions.—
Georg Ell,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Democrats plan to push weekly war powers votes and military funding limits as Republican support erodes, partly driven by concerns about rising gas prices heading into November elections.—
Stephen Groves,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Chronic short sleep raises blood pressure, impairs glucose metabolism and is linked to higher rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression and anxiety.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
19 May 2026
-
Chronic short sleep raises blood pressure and impairs glucose metabolism, and it’s linked to higher rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and depression — each an independent longevity risk on its own.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Even one drink of alcohol damages the immune system, lowering its ability to battle invaders within 20 minutes of consumption.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
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Nebraska 2nd District The leading Democratic hopefuls in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District have been battling over whether one candidate's campaign damages the party's competitiveness in the area.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undermines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermines. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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