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
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
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2025
Even the Commission has warned that climate disinformation is undermining support for action.
—Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Writing in conjunction with Anil Kashyap, a University of Chicago professor and adviser to the Chicago Fed, Griffin, the CEO of Citadel, said undermining the independence of the central bank could eventually stoke higher inflation and much higher long-term rates.
—Nick Thomas, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
The agency characterized the Chinese movements as an intrusion and accused China of undermining regional peace and stability.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
And, frankly, James Comey is one of the main culprits in undermining the public's trust in agencies like the FBI.
—ABC News, 28 Sep. 2025
Negotiations serve not only to address collective goods but also increasingly to secure geopolitical advantage, often undermining cooperative outcomes.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 26 Sep. 2025
At the same time, though, business leaders are presumably well aware that Trump is undermining the laws and norms on which commerce is based.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Many analysts and activists say this is the result of decades of Israeli policy aimed at sabotaging the two-state solution by building Jewish settlements on Palestinian land and undermining the Palestinian Authority (PA), which governs parts of the territory.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2025
Noun
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 liberties taken elsewhere also go a long way toward undermining the series’ closing message of near-universal empathy.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2025
Even the Commission has warned that climate disinformation is undermining support for action.
—Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Writing in conjunction with Anil Kashyap, a University of Chicago professor and adviser to the Chicago Fed, Griffin, the CEO of Citadel, said undermining the independence of the central bank could eventually stoke higher inflation and much higher long-term rates.
—Nick Thomas, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
The agency characterized the Chinese movements as an intrusion and accused China of undermining regional peace and stability.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
And, frankly, James Comey is one of the main culprits in undermining the public's trust in agencies like the FBI.
—ABC News, 28 Sep. 2025
Negotiations serve not only to address collective goods but also increasingly to secure geopolitical advantage, often undermining cooperative outcomes.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 26 Sep. 2025
At the same time, though, business leaders are presumably well aware that Trump is undermining the laws and norms on which commerce is based.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Many analysts and activists say this is the result of decades of Israeli policy aimed at sabotaging the two-state solution by building Jewish settlements on Palestinian land and undermining the Palestinian Authority (PA), which governs parts of the territory.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermining
Noun
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Yolo County officials are urging motorists to use caution on South River Road, a levee-top roadway that stretches from West Sacramento to the Freeport Bridge along the Sacramento River, due to shoulder erosion that has created hazardous driving conditions.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Oct. 2025
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Meanwhile, a worn path and exposed rocks point to the erosion caused by intensive grazing.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Previously the billionaire banker has warned the American economy is weakening, saying in September following a measly jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that whether that weakness spills into economic contraction remains to be seen.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The tariffs inadvertently advantage Asia and other offshore producers by weakening textile and apparel supply chains in the Western Hemisphere.—
Kimberly Glas,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That damaging psychic weight of insecurity and self-blame seeps into our society and politics, where polls show a stubborn and longtime trend of declining faith in a better future.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Several police officers reported that rioters were forcibly removing and damaging their equipment.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Polls show Jones' support eroding, and experts like Farnsworth believe even a win in November won’t erase the damage.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
-
In a new essay co-written with Harvard University professor Robert Waldinger — titled The Power of Human Connection in a Distracted World — Kate, 43, reflected on how technology is eroding our ability to truly connect.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The researchers speculate that increases in fine particulate matter could be reducing running performance by constricting blood vessels, increasing inflammation, and impairing lung and brain function, but further research is needed to pin down the exact mechanisms at play.—
Claire Maldarelli,
Scientific American,
28 Feb. 2025
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First, the rules under which community associations operate emphasize the protections of the residents’ rights, while not unduly impairing the ability of the association to carry out their responsibilities to the community as a whole.—
Gary Singer,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Smartly priced and packed with innovative ingredients, Korean eye creams deliver visible results without compromising comfort.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
8 Oct. 2025
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How smoothly Tesla scales production without compromising supply stability or quality will be a key measure of success.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undermining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermining. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
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