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
ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
The choice is somewhat surprising given his closeness to Rob, but Mark’s newfound suspicion of Eric seems to have been his undoing.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
Chandler Fritz, The New York Review of Books, 21 Mar. 2026
The weather service said Indio set a new record at 104, undoing the previous one for March 17, 2007, when the heat peaked at 101.
—City News Service, Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for undoing
Noun
In the end, that approach led to her undoing.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
The choice is somewhat surprising given his closeness to Rob, but Mark’s newfound suspicion of Eric seems to have been his undoing.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
Magically compelling another, undoing his will, was contrary to the doctrine of free will held by the Church, so Dientes needed to be corrected by the inquisitors.
—Chandler Fritz, The New York Review of Books, 21 Mar. 2026
The weather service said Indio set a new record at 104, undoing the previous one for March 17, 2007, when the heat peaked at 101.
—City News Service, Daily News, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for undoing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undoing
Noun
-
The revelations placed Sánchez Arveláiz within the orbit of Lava Jato, the sprawling anti-corruption investigation that reshaped politics across Latin America and led to the downfall of dozens of business and political figures.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
-
From confirmation to downfall During her confirmation hearings, Bondi promised to safeguard the Justice Department’s independence and bolster its transparency.—
Austin Sarat,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At age 14, Arias was caught in the crossfire of a shootout between rival gangs, paralyzing him from the waist down.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
8 Mar. 2026
-
In a region where weather swings from paralyzing ice storms to scorching summers, these elements carry weight.—
Mary Grace Granados
Special Contributor,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Why are two players whose college careers, at the moment, are over bothering to put their names out there for other programs to see?—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Throughout the day, jot down any worries that are bothering you, particularly the ones that keep popping up.—
Andee Tagle,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The conflict looks set to batter allies’ economies by driving inflation up and hitting economic growth, while analysts have questioned the feasibility of Washington’s goals — whether regime change, or destruction of Tehran’s nuclear program or its missile stockpiles.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The storm’s heavy rains caused widespread flooding that killed at least 43 people and led to the destruction of banana plantations, sorghum, beans, cassava, coffee and other crops as well as the loss of livestock.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Clumsiness notwithstanding, bringing a criminal case against a journalist who was reporting on a protest is an authoritarian tactic—a means of frightening the press away from uncovering the truth.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Declutter the Exterior Clutter outside your home is just as distracting as clutter inside.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Not all Mauss’s material lends equally well to visualizations, and there are moments in the special when the animations are more distracting than additive.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And with it almost out in the world, that’s scaring him a little bit.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Apr. 2026
-
During the first phase, last spring, before DHS got the infusion of new money, Noem led a shock-and-awe campaign aimed mostly at scaring people into leaving.—
Nick Miroff,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Israel is loosening restrictions implemented during wartime after the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, paving the way for schools and workplaces to reopen.—
Riane Lumer,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The Nashville Predators moseyed westward for a California swing that started with a tie-breaking triumph against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, continued with another deadlock-loosening clash with the Kings on Monday and will wrap up versus the Ducks on Tuesday.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undoing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undoing. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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