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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of undoing
Daniel Payne,
STAT,
19 May 2026
And the undoing of the normative tropes of, like, Sex is this act that starts with foreplay and ends with the male climax!
—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
14 May 2026
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
4 May 2026
Lyonnes should have done more with their chances, something that has often proved their undoing this season.
—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for undoing
Noun
Growing violence in the region has hampered the response and played a role in the undoing of the public health infrastructure in the area.
—
Daniel Payne,
STAT,
19 May 2026
And the undoing of the normative tropes of, like, Sex is this act that starts with foreplay and ends with the male climax!
—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
14 May 2026
Verb
Several other African nations are still recovering from a post-pandemic shock that sent debt burdens soaring, and inflationary pressures triggered by the Iran war now risk undoing that progress.
—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
4 May 2026
Lyonnes should have done more with their chances, something that has often proved their undoing this season.
—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for undoing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undoing
Noun
-
Bunting’s downfall in Toronto was the out-of-control rambunctiousness that led to far too many penalties.
-
The steep drop in the housing market and the resulting downfall of the mortgage industry led to a credit crisis that brought the economy into a recession.
Verb
-
His grief was crushing, paralyzing, calamitous.
-
The tiniest decisions were paralyzing.
Verb
-
Transforming the cabin from sitting to sleeping is a group effort that includes unpacking the ladder (usually stowed beneath the seats with the luggage), unfastening the upper bunks, and making the beds.
Verb
-
Instead, the reviews were largely muted, with analysts not bothering to adjust their revenue estimates for 2027 or 2028, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
-
That appears to be bothering people, as the broadcast noted some pointed conversations among the Spanish team during the hydration break.
Noun
-
David Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist, told the the Washington Post he was arrested on June 19 and charged with misdemeanor destruction of government property.
-
This came on the heels of another round of tornadoes just four days earlier that leveled buildings and caused widespread destruction across the region.
Verb
-
Powell tried to open the stall door, and then began fondling himself, frightening the 11-year-old, who tried to leave, but Powell blocked him from getting out.
-
This war has been a disaster for them, frightening away foreign investors, tourists and talent and burdening them with a future of huge new defense bills to deter Iran after the United States is gone.
Verb
-
The Nationals took the lead for good in the seventh inning when rookie John Klein allowed a solo home run to Keibert Ruiz, untying a game that pinch hitter Josh Bell had knotted up a half-inning earlier.
Verb
-
However, there was a distracting graphical issue where characters and objects would get weird glowy or black artifacts around the edges in close-up shots during battles and cutscenes.
-
People attending the trial would also be prohibited from reacting, gesturing, wearing distracting clothing, or otherwise disrupting proceedings.
Cite this Entry
“Undoing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undoing. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
