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
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
Sam Raus, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2026
If organizations aren’t careful, their approach to AI will split their workforce into haves and have-nots, undermining the technology’s benefits.
—Matt Rosenbaum, Fortune, 29 May 2026
Ukraine’s expanding long-range drone campaign is hitting oil facilities, arms plants and even Moscow’s suburbs, undermining Russia’s air defenses and shattering the Kremlin’s claim the war is distant.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Its own members also would have more direct supervision from the Oakland City Council, undermining a key aspect of its independence.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
At the core of the criticism Friday was a sense that Landau’s top-down, arms-length approach to leadership is undermining what has long been a thriving indigent defense community.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 27 May 2026
To some scholars of Christianity, that framing comes at a serious cost by undermining some of the core ethical teachings of Jesus.
—Jason Derose, NPR, 26 May 2026
The Kremlin blocked online access to 20 years of criminal records statistics, undermining efforts to track Moscow’s repression.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 25 May 2026
Simply, China has calculated that maintaining this French outpost is more effective for its global energy strategy than undermining French rule.
—Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 22 May 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
Congress can pursue fiscal responsibility without undermining one of the most focused and effective nutrition programs in the federal government.
—Sam Raus, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2026
If organizations aren’t careful, their approach to AI will split their workforce into haves and have-nots, undermining the technology’s benefits.
—Matt Rosenbaum, Fortune, 29 May 2026
Ukraine’s expanding long-range drone campaign is hitting oil facilities, arms plants and even Moscow’s suburbs, undermining Russia’s air defenses and shattering the Kremlin’s claim the war is distant.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Its own members also would have more direct supervision from the Oakland City Council, undermining a key aspect of its independence.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
At the core of the criticism Friday was a sense that Landau’s top-down, arms-length approach to leadership is undermining what has long been a thriving indigent defense community.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 27 May 2026
To some scholars of Christianity, that framing comes at a serious cost by undermining some of the core ethical teachings of Jesus.
—Jason Derose, NPR, 26 May 2026
The Kremlin blocked online access to 20 years of criminal records statistics, undermining efforts to track Moscow’s repression.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 25 May 2026
Simply, China has calculated that maintaining this French outpost is more effective for its global energy strategy than undermining French rule.
—Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermining
Noun
-
Nearly half of that erosion occurred between March and April alone.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
2 June 2026
-
If the erosion is structural, the fix has to be structural too.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
In conclusion, autonomous AI risks undermining the essential human spirit of science and weakening its role as an arbiter of social conflicts.—
Mohammad Hosseini,
Chicago Tribune,
4 June 2026
-
Critics argue the measures risk worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis on the island without meaningfully weakening the government.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
On Sunday, severe thunderstorms are possible later in the day across parts of the northern Plains, including much of the Dakotas with damaging wind gusts and large hail the primary hazards.—
Daniel Peck,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
-
On its opening day, a fleet of Ukrainian drones attacked the city, damaging a warship in the nearby port of Kronstadt and setting an oil terminal on fire.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Kaua'i’s northwest coast is one of the world's most rapidly eroding shores.—
Brianna Randall,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
-
As many others have noted, including Fortune contributor Bhaskar Chakravorti, dean of global business at the Tufts Fletcher School, this is now structurally unwinding, rather than slowly eroding.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Verb
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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
-
Oriyomi was subsequently arrested Friday on charges of intentionally impairing or interrupting the operation of a critical infrastructure facility.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
But most importantly, Rebecca, the filmmaker, documentarian, screenwriter, novelist, and painter, who flows between various mediums and art forms, and won awards across all, creates her art without compromising kindness and morality.—
Damon Cardasis,
IndieWire,
4 June 2026
-
Development teams can assess feasibility without compromising creative intent.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undermining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermining. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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