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
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
Brittney Melton, NPR, 30 Apr. 2026
But more than half fear that politicization and confusion are undermining vaccine access.
—Michael C. Burgess, STAT, 30 Apr. 2026
The withdrawal of critical support risks undermining essential humanitarian services that so many depend upon.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
In a recent Equity survey, 71 % of actors from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds still reported that hair and makeup departments were unable to meet their needs, something that undermining wellbeing, authenticity and production values.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
Governments had promoted cleaner fuels like LPG for health and conservation reasons, but rising costs are undermining those gains.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
This shift is reshaping the economics and doctrine of space warfare, undermining traditional strategies focused on high-value targets.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 26 Apr. 2026
But caregivers say Kennedy’s comments paint with too broad a brush and risk undermining services that millions depend on.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026
That said, a few words readily available would help connect the dots without undermining the provocation.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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
While the court technically kept Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act intact, the ruling contributes to a series of decisions undermining the landmark 1965 law that protected racial minorities' collective voting power.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 30 Apr. 2026
But more than half fear that politicization and confusion are undermining vaccine access.
—Michael C. Burgess, STAT, 30 Apr. 2026
The withdrawal of critical support risks undermining essential humanitarian services that so many depend upon.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
In a recent Equity survey, 71 % of actors from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds still reported that hair and makeup departments were unable to meet their needs, something that undermining wellbeing, authenticity and production values.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
Governments had promoted cleaner fuels like LPG for health and conservation reasons, but rising costs are undermining those gains.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
This shift is reshaping the economics and doctrine of space warfare, undermining traditional strategies focused on high-value targets.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 26 Apr. 2026
But caregivers say Kennedy’s comments paint with too broad a brush and risk undermining services that millions depend on.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026
That said, a few words readily available would help connect the dots without undermining the provocation.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermining
Noun
-
The miss was driven by faster-than-expected generic erosion of the company's best-selling medicines Entresto, Promacta, and Tasigna, which each missed by between 7% and 17%, according to Citi analysts.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Investigators say initial reports said that a bass boat had hit a breakwater, which is a long wall usually built by the shore to reduce erosion.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Dunn said Black domestic workers were often forced to work longer on election days by their white families, weakening their chances of casting a ballot.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 May 2026
-
If next week’s jobs report shows a still resilient labor market, that could relieve investors wary of a weakening economic outlook.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Besides their obvious beauty, wicker baskets are superior for storage (especially laundry), providing excellent ventilation that prevents mold and mildew from damaging your linens.—
Ashley Poskin,
Martha Stewart,
2 May 2026
-
Baking soda has a mild, yet abrasive texture that can lift out stains causing your tiles to look dull without damaging the surface.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
In the medium term, customers will use their own agents to shop rates and switch providers, eroding the inertia that has long protected incumbent relationships.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
-
Back when the general plan was created in 2004, there wasn’t even any mention of climate resilience — the effects of sea level rise and eroding beaches had not yet taken hold.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Crude oil also disrupts animals’ nervous systems, Grosell added, impairing their senses and ability to navigate, process input, and properly orient themselves in their environment.—
Asuka Koda,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The now former Hungarian leader has been widely criticized for dismantling or impairing many democratic institutions including the Constitution, law courts and the media, and packing influential committees with loyalists.—
Patrick Smith,
NBC news,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rampart’s damage-tolerant design and payload flexibility are intended to support operations where aircraft may be lost without compromising overall mission effectiveness.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
-
As shoe trends have changed over the years, wearing sneakers has emerged as the best option for comfort without compromising style.—
Ruhama Wolle,
Glamour,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undermining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermining. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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