as in downfall
something that is the cause of one's ultimate failure or loss of life
an intractable drug habit proved to be her sad undoing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in paralyzing
to deprive of courage or confidence
the sudden shriek undid the campers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unfastening
to disengage the knotted parts of
undo a tangled shoelace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in bothering
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
the mere mention of the home invasion still had the power to undo her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of undoing
Charlotte Reed, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
What looks like good politics might also prove to be another step in the undoing of the Constitution’s checks and balances.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2025
Chaewon Chung
updated September 25, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2025
The real challenge for this whiskey will be undoing the long-standing poor reputation that other 80-proof products have created over the years.
—Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for undoing
Noun
But the undoing of the totemic reform of Macron’s mandates would be highly symbolic.
—Charlotte Reed, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
What looks like good politics might also prove to be another step in the undoing of the Constitution’s checks and balances.
—Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
Experts warn that undoing it could weaken national climate policy, with ripple effects felt in California.
—Chaewon Chung
updated September 25, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2025
The real challenge for this whiskey will be undoing the long-standing poor reputation that other 80-proof products have created over the years.
—Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for undoing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undoing
Noun
-
The rise and fall of Urban Communities Outlier pieced together the events that led to Urban Communities’ downfall largely through court records and filings at the Wayne County Register of Deeds.—
Aaron Mondry,
Freep.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Demonstrators have been calling for the Iranian regime's downfall and systemic change as a first step to reclaiming freedom and dignity.—
Somayeh Malekian,
ABC News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In rare cases, the toxin can spread beyond the injection site to other parts of the body, paralyzing or weakening muscles needed for breathing and swallowing.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Their meet-cute involves a pterodactyl, a number of plants that shoot paralyzing needles, and a nest in which Thia has been imprisoned.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Ibrahim keeps bothering me endlessly, touching my leg and thigh.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Ask her if anything is bothering her.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
24 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Since the boycott, PEN has donated to Palestinian aid organizations, highlighted writers and journalists who have been targeted and killed by Israel, and released a report on the deliberate destruction of Palestinian cultural heritage.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Consumers and retailers should destroy affected products and not return them, as Gold Star will issue refunds with proof of destruction.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But monks there complained that the slain king was walking around at night, frightening them with strange sounds.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Kids will love sending this Dilophosaurus sauntering across the floor, frightening everything and everyone in his path.—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Writing essays, in the same way, lubricates my writing of fiction and vice versa—by distracting me and taking my thoughts elsewhere.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The glare from the sun had been reflecting in the lenses and distracting Smith.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After scaring off the animal, one of the hikers, a physician, attempted to revive Kovatch, but did not find a pulse.—
Outside,
Outside,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Talk openly about world events—without scaring them Even young children absorb bits of information about conflict, violence, and disaster—whether through classmates, TV in a waiting room, or overheard adult conversations.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Parents,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Houseplant began in Canada in 2019, but after some US states began loosening cannabis restrictions, the duo expanded the company stateside.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Oct. 2025
-
That remark cuts against one market narrative that loosening financial conditions might be fueling an asset bubble in tech.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undoing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undoing. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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