as in to weaken
to make (someone or something) weaker or less effective usually in a secret or gradual way
She tried to undermine my authority by complaining about me to my boss. The events of the past year have undermined people's confidence in the government.
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Recent Examples of undermine
These students also undermine their non-AI-using peers.
—
Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 11 Sep. 2025
Brazil is facing a demographic turning point that economists warn could undermine its long-term economic stability.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Prosecutors had alleged that the coup plot began in 2021, with efforts to undermine public trust in the electoral system.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Critics allege that Google’s dominance not only undermines traditional publishing revenues but mutes the diversity of online voices, accelerating the decline of the open, accessible web, just as Google admitted behind closed doors, in court.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for undermine
Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 11 Sep. 2025
Brazil is facing a demographic turning point that economists warn could undermine its long-term economic stability.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Prosecutors had alleged that the coup plot began in 2021, with efforts to undermine public trust in the electoral system.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Critics allege that Google’s dominance not only undermines traditional publishing revenues but mutes the diversity of online voices, accelerating the decline of the open, accessible web, just as Google admitted behind closed doors, in court.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for undermine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermine
Verb
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Foreign powers such as Russia and China, which challenge America and its allies from Europe to the Middle East to Taiwan and the South China Sea, have long been accused of exploiting such divisions through disinformation campaigns that inflame tensions and weaken confidence in American governance.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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But around the equinoxes, the natural buffer weakens.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
12 Sep. 2025
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While alcohol typically impairs coordination and reaction time, drugs present a more complex picture.—
Andrew Yockey,
The Conversation,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For capital-intensive industries, that volatility erodes the policy stability required for long-term investment, adding another layer of uncertainty to already fragile markets.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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But the brand’s relationship with Unilever eroded over the years.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Using abrasive cleaner or products with harsh chemicals can damage the beautiful material and lead to a less-than-pretty tub.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
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But posting on social media leaves a record, and in times of escalating political polarization, those declarations can be seen as damaging to the reputation of an individual or their employer.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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My office and our partners will continue to hold fully accountable anyone seeking to compromise the national security of the United States.—
Jon Haworth,
ABC News,
16 Sep. 2025
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Having a solid structure in place can allow kindness to thrive without compromising the performance of your team or operations.—
Roxana Diaconu,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undermine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermine. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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