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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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
Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party said Cheng has misrepresented Taiwanese public opinion in her trip to China and accused the KMT of undermining national security.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
The move adds to longstanding concern among health experts that chaos and political interference under Kennedy—a staunch anti-vaccine activist who has long falsely maligned COVID-19 vaccines—is deeply undermining science at federal agencies and beyond.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2026
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said ceasefire violations have been reported at a few places across the conflict zone, undermining the spirit of the peace process.
—Will Clark, NBC news, 8 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, the two top Republicans are taking potshots at each other, potentially undermining the GOP’s only chance to elect a governor for the first time in two decades.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
Their wedding is a boulder rolling away from them, undermining the possibility of hard conversations about whether now is really the best time to become bound in the eyes of the state.
—Jenny Singer, Glamour, 8 Apr. 2026
Rewarding or punishing officers based on race, gender, or perceived political loyalty to Trump could also aid the administration’s larger project of undermining the claims of women and ethnic and religious minorities to equal treatment under the law in other parts of American society.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026
Common topics of health misinformation include false claims about vaccines, promoting remedies that are not supported by science and undermining scientific understanding about the causes of different health issues.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 3 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
The longtime leader — whom critics accuse of undermining democracy and whose government has been reported to have worked closely with Moscow to undermine European sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine — has seen his support crumble over economic mismanagement and alleged corruption.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party said Cheng has misrepresented Taiwanese public opinion in her trip to China and accused the KMT of undermining national security.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
The move adds to longstanding concern among health experts that chaos and political interference under Kennedy—a staunch anti-vaccine activist who has long falsely maligned COVID-19 vaccines—is deeply undermining science at federal agencies and beyond.
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2026
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said ceasefire violations have been reported at a few places across the conflict zone, undermining the spirit of the peace process.
—Will Clark, NBC news, 8 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, the two top Republicans are taking potshots at each other, potentially undermining the GOP’s only chance to elect a governor for the first time in two decades.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026
Their wedding is a boulder rolling away from them, undermining the possibility of hard conversations about whether now is really the best time to become bound in the eyes of the state.
—Jenny Singer, Glamour, 8 Apr. 2026
Rewarding or punishing officers based on race, gender, or perceived political loyalty to Trump could also aid the administration’s larger project of undermining the claims of women and ethnic and religious minorities to equal treatment under the law in other parts of American society.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026
Common topics of health misinformation include false claims about vaccines, promoting remedies that are not supported by science and undermining scientific understanding about the causes of different health issues.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermining
Noun
-
If the city’s authority along Coast Walk is reduced, how will continuous access be maintained as erosion occurs?—
Letters To The Editor,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The traditional television business, which has been reeling from the steady erosion of what was once an economic pillar — programming fees from ESPN, Disney Channel and other popular outlets — will reduce its head count.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
However, the brand has seen month-on-month declines in sales since September 2025, pointing to weakening momentum in its core NEV lineup.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Apr. 2026
-
However, some Democrats warn against weakening their candidates when facing a Republican Party that’s flush with cash.—
Leah Askarinam,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
One of the vehicles apparently also slammed into the rear of a parked silver BMW, damaging it, as well.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
On Friday, the actor and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series racer was involved in wreck with Tyler Reif and Timmy Hill on the Bristol Motor Speedway, damaging his Malcolm in the Middle themed Ford F-150 and taking him out of the race.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Despite nationwide polls showing eroding support, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán retains strong backing in rural communities and among older Hungarians, who credit him with representing their interests and maintaining national pride.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
In the years following the departure of Ailes, many critics further assailed the network for eroding any line between news reporting and commentary and political advocacy.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kumpf says recently the dams have been exacerbating environmental concerns, worsening fish passage, harmful algae blooms and impairing water quality.—
Aaron Parseghian,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Nedergaard and her colleagues also found that some sleep medications can disrupt these natural brain rhythms in mice, potentially impairing the glymphatic cleaning process.—
Amanda Erickson,
STAT,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Cropped pants, like capri and ankle-length options, are a great alternative that offer some coverage without compromising on breathability.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Apr. 2026
-
When shopping for yourself or your family, keep these factors in mind to avoid compromising food quality.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undermining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermining. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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