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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of undermining
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
Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
In late September, a wave carrying debris from a nearby home that had already collapsed slammed into theirs, undermining its foundation.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
The infantile form of Tay-Sachs manifests between three and six months of age, undermining gross motor control, worsening into seizures, deafness, and paralysis, and death by age five.
—New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2025
Despite the shutdown, EPA restructuring continues, including the merger of key offices and the elimination of its research division—moves SWANA has criticized as undermining scientific development.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
The Curse builds a complex internal mythology using clips from fake reality TV series and faux newscasts, steadily undermining the viewer's sense of reality by combining sinister figures from Japanese folklore with an overwhelming sense of impending doom.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Many worry that the very tools elevating their careers today may be undermining their job security tomorrow.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
The day after making that declaration on social media, the president’s administration cut funding for broadband expansion, further undermining states’ efforts to bring broadband to rural areas.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2025
See video … WATCH TULSI GABBARD – Dem Party is undermining the very foundation of America.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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
In handing down the sentence, Montenegro said Bonillo understood the scope of his misdeeds, abused his position of trust and used that position to enrich himself while undermining CBP’s main goal.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
In late September, a wave carrying debris from a nearby home that had already collapsed slammed into theirs, undermining its foundation.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
The infantile form of Tay-Sachs manifests between three and six months of age, undermining gross motor control, worsening into seizures, deafness, and paralysis, and death by age five.
—New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2025
Despite the shutdown, EPA restructuring continues, including the merger of key offices and the elimination of its research division—moves SWANA has criticized as undermining scientific development.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
The Curse builds a complex internal mythology using clips from fake reality TV series and faux newscasts, steadily undermining the viewer's sense of reality by combining sinister figures from Japanese folklore with an overwhelming sense of impending doom.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Many worry that the very tools elevating their careers today may be undermining their job security tomorrow.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
The day after making that declaration on social media, the president’s administration cut funding for broadband expansion, further undermining states’ efforts to bring broadband to rural areas.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2025
See video … WATCH TULSI GABBARD – Dem Party is undermining the very foundation of America.
—FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermining
Noun
-
Despite a still-robust economy, on paper anyway, lackluster hiring is adding to Americans’ frayed nerves, as is the erosion of federal safety-net benefits.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Since the start of construction, neighbors on Rockland Drive have filed at least 10 complaints to the city’s 311 system for mud in the road, erosion, pothole repair and traffic-calming measures.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
That goes even further than DESI's hints at weakening dark energy.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The central bank cut its benchmark rate for the second time this year at its most recent meeting, in part to help bolster the economy amid a weakening job market.—
Fortune,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
If your hair is getting snagged while using the brush or seems to be damaging your hair, it should also be replaced.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The YouTuber-turned-boxer has been accused by a lot of people of damaging the sport by staging fights that are more bit than boxing.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Most recently, in 2022, the county had completed a more than $18 million project for beach nourishment, which is the process of adding sand to an eroding beach to widen it.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Meanwhile, a recent constitutional reform that gave Mexico’s ruling party control over all three branches of government has fed fears of rising state control over the economy, eroding confidence.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Officers at the scene noticed Clausen showed signs of being under the influence of an impairing substance.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Wildlife exposed to oil and grease can suffer fatal effects — the substance can coat feathers and fur, impairing mobility and body temperature regulation, or smother aquatic plants that other species depend on for food and oxygen.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The outcome could set a precedent for how far courts can go in easing logistical burdens on defendants in sensitive-information cases without compromising government secrecy.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Rooftop installations provide a space-efficient and scalable solution to harness clean energy without compromising valuable land resources.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undermining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermining. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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