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

But that undermines some of leisure’s biggest benefits — like cultivating a sense of joy, wonder, or learning. — Caitlin Dewey, Vox, 10 Nov. 2026

This undermines their own reversal of the Chancery Court, repeatedly throwing the firm back into the arms of its previous judge to invent a serious of unique reasons to derail the deal. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2026

Using words like ghosts or spirits undermines what these entities actually are. — Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026

This not only calls into question how much extra food China truly has but also undermines public confidence in the government. — Joel Wuthnow, Foreign Affairs, 2 Nov. 2026

The problem is that every upgrade severely undermines its value. — Charles Jefferies, PC Magazine, 31 Oct. 2026

Anyone who compromises sensitive national security information puts the lives of our Warriors at risk and undermines every military operation that keeps our country safe. — ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026

According to Ipsos, 56 percent of Americans believe sports betting undermines the integrity of the games—up 19 percentage points since 2023. — Josh Appel, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026

Local elections officials would also have to verify voters’ citizenship using government data and publish reports, which critics say bolsters conspiracies about voter integrity and undermines confidence in elections. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026