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
That shift undermines federal goals for the U visa program, the DOJ said in a news release Tuesday.
—
Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 3 June 2026
Treating speech like violence undermines a free society.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 1 June 2026
Every touchpoint is a data point that either confirms or undermines what the brand says about itself.
—Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
The battlefield gridlock undermines Putin’s declared goal of quickly capturing the eastern Donetsk region still under Ukrainian control.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
This ruling sets a troubling precedent that undermines protections afforded to interstate commerce and impedes site remediation, as well as the safe and effective long-term management of these materials for customers in Michigan and throughout the country.
—Heath Kalb, CBS News, 28 May 2026
The controversial $500,000 portion of PFAS money allocation scheme is a sham and undermines the public trust (Tamarac finds a $500,000 slush fund, editorial, May 21).
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026
Senator Cortese deserves credit for taking on the real and persistent inequity posed by the divide between basic and non-basic aid districts, and which genuinely undermines the principle that every student deserves the same quality education.
—Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
To some scholars of Christianity, such framing undermines some of Jesus' core ethical teachings.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 May 2026
Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 3 June 2026
Treating speech like violence undermines a free society.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 1 June 2026
Every touchpoint is a data point that either confirms or undermines what the brand says about itself.
—Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
The battlefield gridlock undermines Putin’s declared goal of quickly capturing the eastern Donetsk region still under Ukrainian control.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
This ruling sets a troubling precedent that undermines protections afforded to interstate commerce and impedes site remediation, as well as the safe and effective long-term management of these materials for customers in Michigan and throughout the country.
—Heath Kalb, CBS News, 28 May 2026
The controversial $500,000 portion of PFAS money allocation scheme is a sham and undermines the public trust (Tamarac finds a $500,000 slush fund, editorial, May 21).
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026
Senator Cortese deserves credit for taking on the real and persistent inequity posed by the divide between basic and non-basic aid districts, and which genuinely undermines the principle that every student deserves the same quality education.
—Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
To some scholars of Christianity, such framing undermines some of Jesus' core ethical teachings.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermines
Verb
-
Subtract what weakens the system.—
Nilton Bernini,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
Teams evolve at different speeds, innovation concentrates among a small subset of employees, and trust across the organization weakens.—
Matt Rosenbaum,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
That erodes trust in the fairness of our elections and weakens confidence in our democracy.—
The Editorial Board,
Daily News,
29 May 2026
-
In no uncertain terms, the absence of those issues is bewildering, erodes the entire report’s credibility, and demands an explanation.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
-
For others still chasing results, upping spending — without substantively addressing AI strategy, governance, workforce capabilities and cross-functional collaboration — burns cash, impairs competitiveness and erodes morale.—
Noah Barsky,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
She was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease eight years ago, a neurological disorder that damages brain cells, leading to symptoms like uncontrollable movements, tremors, and balance issues.—
Madeline Montgomery,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
-
Chronic inflammation damages blood vessels, stiffening them and increasing resistance.—
Jennifer Berger,
Verywell Health,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undermines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermines. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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