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
Gqlshare,
Daily News,
27 May 2026
That sort of sample size is more than enough to infuse the young upstarts with extreme confidence, perhaps countering the massive gap in playoff experience that was supposed to be the Spurs’ undoing.
—
Sam Amick,
New York Times,
25 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
Harvard-Westlake’s final undoing came in the fifth inning with the game tied 1-1.
—
Gqlshare,
Daily News,
27 May 2026
That sort of sample size is more than enough to infuse the young upstarts with extreme confidence, perhaps countering the massive gap in playoff experience that was supposed to be the Spurs’ undoing.
—
Sam Amick,
New York Times,
25 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
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That would be his downfall on Monday, too, hitting his putt a little too hard.
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The Sound and The Fury Told by four narrators in a stream of consciousness writing style, this 1929 story describes the downfall of a wealthy Southern aristocratic family, the Compsons.
Verb
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With endless criteria, knowing exactly what to ask for from a pair of jean shorts is paralyzing.
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His grief was crushing, paralyzing, calamitous.
Verb
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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
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That shift may help explain why some couples notice their partner’s scent bothering them more during periods of conflict.
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The chest pain that had been bothering her finally let up.
Noun
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Rodríguez said authorities have recorded 862 aftershocks since the main quakes and confirmed that 189 buildings collapsed completely nationwide, the vast majority in La Guaira, the coastal state that suffered the worst destruction.
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Our previous card featured the fiery destruction of the Missouri Pacific depot in 1909.
Verb
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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.
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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
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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
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Driving into the estate down a dirt track, you’re met with concrete walls that frame the space with gallery-like precision, directing your eyes toward geological features rather than distracting from them.
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There was some online angst over whether Swift was distracting from football — while the NFL itself capitalized on her fandom.
Cite this Entry
“Undoing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undoing. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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