as in erosion
a gradual weakening, loss, or destruction
the view that the constant mudslinging and negative campaigning contributes to the undermining of the public's faith in politics and government
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in weakening
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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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of undermining
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 June 2026
The concentration of power in one person, the undermining of elections, disregarding the rule of law, the weakening checks and balances, and replacing constitutional loyalty with personal loyalty.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
This is a direct undermining of the idea of art.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Long commute times are certainly frustrating, but continual undermining of mass transit projects isn’t going to solve the problem.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 Jan. 2026
What is the purpose of this layering and undermining of the story’s authenticity?
—John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
The undermining of an independent judiciary.
—Richard Stengel, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
What is required is a pullback - on huge deficits, on aggravating international and internal relationships, and on the undermining of historical foundations of the United States.
—John S. Tobey, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Flores and Cantello also said many of their colleagues were placed on administrative leave after signing a letter of dissent criticizing EPA leadership’s undermining of public trust and disregard for scientific consensus.
—William Tong, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025
Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Even after the revolution, prominent Sudanese preacher Abdulhay Yousif said the establishment of a women’s football league was aimed at undermining religion.
—ABC News, 17 June 2026
San Diego Padres The Padres rank last in the majors in runs per game, and that lackluster offense is actively undermining an all-world bullpen that ranks as one of the best units in baseball.
—Eno Sarris, New York Times, 17 June 2026
At its core, the race became a referendum on two competing visions of authority, each tied to leaders accused of undermining democratic institutions.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
And there’s no need for this legislation that goes much further, undermining the transparency that the state Supreme Court has said is fundamental to our democracy.
—Daniel Borenstein, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
Wembanyama now risks undermining much of that newfound goodwill.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026
Roboticists have long sought a compact, energy-efficient pumping technology that can be fully integrated into soft robotic systems without undermining the flexibility and adaptability that make soft robotics attractive in the first place.
—New Atlas, 12 June 2026
The goal was a technique that felt visually imaginative without undermining the credibility of the drama around it.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 June 2026
Noun
The fine reflected an improper disclosure of a draft candidate’s data and the undermining of trade secrets.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 June 2026
The concentration of power in one person, the undermining of elections, disregarding the rule of law, the weakening checks and balances, and replacing constitutional loyalty with personal loyalty.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
This is a direct undermining of the idea of art.
—Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Long commute times are certainly frustrating, but continual undermining of mass transit projects isn’t going to solve the problem.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 Jan. 2026
What is the purpose of this layering and undermining of the story’s authenticity?
—John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
The undermining of an independent judiciary.
—Richard Stengel, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
What is required is a pullback - on huge deficits, on aggravating international and internal relationships, and on the undermining of historical foundations of the United States.
—John S. Tobey, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Flores and Cantello also said many of their colleagues were placed on administrative leave after signing a letter of dissent criticizing EPA leadership’s undermining of public trust and disregard for scientific consensus.
—William Tong, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
Key workplace factors undermining desire include constant connectivity, performing emotional labor, relentless multitasking, experiencing burnout, and failing to take genuine breaks.
—Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Even after the revolution, prominent Sudanese preacher Abdulhay Yousif said the establishment of a women’s football league was aimed at undermining religion.
—ABC News, 17 June 2026
San Diego Padres The Padres rank last in the majors in runs per game, and that lackluster offense is actively undermining an all-world bullpen that ranks as one of the best units in baseball.
—Eno Sarris, New York Times, 17 June 2026
At its core, the race became a referendum on two competing visions of authority, each tied to leaders accused of undermining democratic institutions.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
And there’s no need for this legislation that goes much further, undermining the transparency that the state Supreme Court has said is fundamental to our democracy.
—Daniel Borenstein, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
Wembanyama now risks undermining much of that newfound goodwill.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2026
Roboticists have long sought a compact, energy-efficient pumping technology that can be fully integrated into soft robotic systems without undermining the flexibility and adaptability that make soft robotics attractive in the first place.
—New Atlas, 12 June 2026
The goal was a technique that felt visually imaginative without undermining the credibility of the drama around it.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermining
Noun
-
Native plants, erosion control, a picnic area, restrooms, an overlook and natural-looking playground equipment all rose to the top.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
-
The likely outcome is not withdrawal but gradual erosion of influence in favor of rivals playing the longer game.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
The hurricane-weakening effects of El Niño may be positive for property and casualty insurers in the Northern Hemisphere.—
Bloomberg,
Fortune,
21 June 2026
-
An unpopular war, a structurally sound economy, but maybe GDP weakening, unemployment strong, but consumer confidence weakening.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
Primary hazards include damaging wind gusts, locally heavy rainfall and frequent lightning strikes, with hail and a brief tornado or waterspout also possible.—
Garfield Hylton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 June 2026
-
Nelson is doing fine now In 2000, Nelson was diagnosed with HIV and sarcoidosis, a condition that went into remission until a severe case of Legionnaires’ disease in 2021 reactivated it, damaging both his lungs and liver.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Starmer led the Labour party to a landslide victory in July 2024 and ever since, his popularity has been eroding thanks to a persistently high cost of living, an anemic economy and a scandal over his willingness to accept gifts from wealthy donors.—
James Cirrone,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2026
-
The internet's foundational assumption of human participation is eroding as AI agents become indistinguishable from people.—
Sean Lee,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
He was charged last week with impairing or interrupting operation of critical infrastructure facility.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
-
Abdulrahman Oriyomi, 25, was charged with felony impairing or interrupting operation of a critical infrastructure facility last week and was booked into jail in Harris County, Texas, on Friday, according to court records.—
Sneha Dhandapani,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
To that end, members of Forbes Human Resources Council share their strategies for using AI to keep projects moving during peak vacation months without compromising employee well-being.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
Part of that process involved Quenda embarking on a rigorous programme of nutrition and muscle development aimed at better equipping him to handle the greater degree of physicality in Premier League football without compromising his speed or agility.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undermining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermining. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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