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
El-Erian warned that further assaults could undermine trust in the Fed with serious economic consequences.
—
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 22 July 2025
Once in place, politicians and agencies can no longer undermine the will of voters, compromise public safety or ignore the best available science where clean water is concerned.
—Mel Martin, Sun Sentinel, 22 July 2025
By the end of the session, the SCORE Act advanced on a straight, party-line vote, undermining Bilirakis’ framing of the legislation’s support.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 21 July 2025
Those provisions are, however, entirely and fatally undermined elsewhere in the bill.
—The Editors, National Review, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for undermine
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 22 July 2025
Once in place, politicians and agencies can no longer undermine the will of voters, compromise public safety or ignore the best available science where clean water is concerned.
—Mel Martin, Sun Sentinel, 22 July 2025
By the end of the session, the SCORE Act advanced on a straight, party-line vote, undermining Bilirakis’ framing of the legislation’s support.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 21 July 2025
Those provisions are, however, entirely and fatally undermined elsewhere in the bill.
—The Editors, National Review, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for undermine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermine
Verb
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This weakens their ability to educate, create, and grow.—
Miguel Cardona,
Time,
21 July 2025
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This could help verify recent findings from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) that suggest this strange force is actually weakening over time.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
20 July 2025
Verb
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According to Paul Spiewak, tech team leader for Lake Lovers, many of the county’s lakes are considered impaired due to high phosphorus concentrations.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
21 July 2025
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He is also charged with tampering with physical evidence with the intent to impair and tampering with a witness.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
18 July 2025
Verb
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Inflation is an inevitable economic reality that erodes your purchasing power over time.—
Prasanna Kumar,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
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But the context in which the show is premiering makes this a surreal project, where legal rights and principles we were once told were sacrosanct are being eroded.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
23 July 2025
Verb
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Driving through deep water can also damage a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 July 2025
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Anything that damages the trust between the vendor, Microsoft, and the user is as much a threat as the hackers themselves, in my never humble opinion.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
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In terms of its dairy, Berg wouldn’t compromise on sourcing grass-fed.—
Andrew Watman,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
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No matter what compromises Lucas and our farsighted mayor at the time, Rahm Emanuel, offered, there was no compromise from this group.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undermine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermine. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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