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
John Wihbey, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
But while prosecutors and law enforcement continue doing the hard work of keeping Orange County safe, the County CEO appears intent on undermining that success.
—Todd Spitzer, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025
Experts say the collapse of the talks marks not only a significant blow for attempts to clean up a heavily climate-polluting industry, undermining decades of negotiations, but also represents yet another failure of climate diplomacy.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
Social media, streaming algorithms, and AI are undermining the role that salaried experts once played.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025
Criticism of capitalism and imperialism undermining individual dignity drives a ton of his work, from the 1967 anti–Vietnam War short film The Big Shave to his 2002 NYC origin story Gangs of New York, and Scorsese comparing that film’s Natives gang to the Proud Boys is thought provoking as hell.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
And this misapplication, whether through inappropriate comparisons and limited context, or a disregard for methodological boundaries, risks undermining both consumer and stakeholder trust in sustainability claims and data integrity—and misleading investments and interventions.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 13 Oct. 2025
Examples of creative destruction include e-commerce disrupting retail, streaming services replacing videocassette and DVD rentals and internet advertising undermining newspaper advertising.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
Biya, Museveni, Outtara, and others have held on to power by undermining political dissent.
—semafor.com, 10 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
Our tech companies are a threat vector undermining not only our own society but also our democratic allies.
—John Wihbey, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
But while prosecutors and law enforcement continue doing the hard work of keeping Orange County safe, the County CEO appears intent on undermining that success.
—Todd Spitzer, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025
Experts say the collapse of the talks marks not only a significant blow for attempts to clean up a heavily climate-polluting industry, undermining decades of negotiations, but also represents yet another failure of climate diplomacy.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
Social media, streaming algorithms, and AI are undermining the role that salaried experts once played.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025
Criticism of capitalism and imperialism undermining individual dignity drives a ton of his work, from the 1967 anti–Vietnam War short film The Big Shave to his 2002 NYC origin story Gangs of New York, and Scorsese comparing that film’s Natives gang to the Proud Boys is thought provoking as hell.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
And this misapplication, whether through inappropriate comparisons and limited context, or a disregard for methodological boundaries, risks undermining both consumer and stakeholder trust in sustainability claims and data integrity—and misleading investments and interventions.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 13 Oct. 2025
Examples of creative destruction include e-commerce disrupting retail, streaming services replacing videocassette and DVD rentals and internet advertising undermining newspaper advertising.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
Biya, Museveni, Outtara, and others have held on to power by undermining political dissent.
—semafor.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermining
Noun
-
The storm is expected to cause widespread power outages, flooding, and beach erosion so severe that some beaches may no longer exist.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
By suddenly disclosing its true holdings, China could drive up gold prices while signaling stronger backing for the renminbi, thus weakening the dollar’s global clout.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Recent economic data has suggested a weakening labor market and inflation up a touch, but not so much as to crack the stock market.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When exposure occurs through food or drinking water, cesium-137 can accumulate in the body and increase the risk of cancer due to its DNA-damaging properties.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
-
While more plants may seem beneficial, TNC points out that the tree and shrub takeover is damaging to the natural grassland ecosystem present in the preserve.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In a world where long-term predictability is eroding, capital-intensive investments are becoming increasingly risky.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
-
How does his latest book hold up in an age of eroding reality?—
Astead W. Herndon Astead W. Herndon Emily Bazelon Parul Sehgal Andrew Ross Sorkin Kwame Anthony Appiah Lisa Donovan Julian Brave NoiseCat John Hodgman,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Air pollution, such as diesel exhaust, can have the opposite effect, impairing Treg cell function and contributing to inflammatory diseases such as asthma.—
Mitzi Nagarkatti,
The Conversation,
10 Oct. 2025
-
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
Verb
-
The new dual-cation chemistry bridges that gap, allowing sodium ions to deliver higher capacity without compromising on environmental benefits.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Abbas Jan, director of sales and marketing at Siddiqsons Limited, said high-performance stretch stories also remain central, with Lycra Dual Comfort and stretch canvas providing flexibility without compromising authentic rigid looks.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undermining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermining. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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