Definition of undoingnext
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

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undoing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of undo
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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
Noun
Similarly, the defensively bewildering 9-6 loss the Wild suffered to start Round 2 in Colorado set the tone for five games that would ultimately be their undoing. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 3 June 2026 Harvard-Westlake’s final undoing came in the fifth inning with the game tied 1-1. Gqlshare, Daily News, 27 May 2026
Verb
Disability organisations including The Arc and the Council for Exceptional Children have warned the change risks shifting special education from an education framework to a medical one, undoing decades of progress toward integration in schools. Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Sitting on the Same Edge Every Day Rotating your mattress regularly aims to prevent uneven wear—but your morning routine might be undoing that effort. Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for undoing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undoing
Noun
  • One downfall of being a homeowner is seeing your home start to become a place for unwelcome guests like bats.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 20 July 2026
  • Believing the Trojan Horse to be a peace offering, the officers drag the hollow figure inside the city walls and place it outside the Temple of Athena, which leads to Troy’s harrowing downfall hours later.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 19 July 2026
Verb
  • Though brief, Yoon’s martial law declaration plunged South Korea into a political crisis, paralyzing politics and high-level diplomacy while rattling financial markets.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
  • With endless criteria, knowing exactly what to ask for from a pair of jean shorts is paralyzing.
    Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 25 June 2026
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.
    Emily Manthei, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • Wasps are generally more interested in building their colony and finding food than in bothering people.
    Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 17 July 2026
  • But after going ahead, England manager Thomas Tuchel tried to shut the back door by throwing on countless defenders and not bothering to attack Argentina anymore.
    Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
Noun
  • Growing concerns over wildfire preparedness The destruction of Collins has renewed questions about whether Ontario’s wildfire strategy is keeping pace with increasingly intense fire seasons.
    Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Two Democratic lawmakers have introduced a bill to protect federal artworks, including New Deal-era masterpieces, from possible sale or destruction.
    Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2026
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.
    Todd Feurer, CBS News, 6 June 2026
  • 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.
    Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
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.
    Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • The previous time the New York Knicks won an NBA Final, in 1973, in-game sound was basically unheard-of in basketball—too distracting for players and fans.
    Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
  • Low-cost drones are also increasingly being paired with high-end weapons to improve their effectiveness by distracting or overwhelming enemy air defenses.
    Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 15 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Undoing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undoing. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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