as in weakens
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 undermines
Elsewhere on that flank, Pedro Lima and Rodrigo Gomes are talented players who, even allowing for the naivety of youth that sometimes undermines their efforts, Wolves are likely to want to keep for next season in the Championship.
—
Steve Madeley, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Academic struggles Stoner’s career is briefly thwarted by Hollis Lomax, a fellow professor who undermines Stoner’s professional advancement.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
Annette Martínez-Orabona, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Puerto Rico, said abandoning an investigation into a fraudulent voting scheme in prisons undermines the trust of those who believe in democracy.
—Raquel Rutledge, ProPublica, 8 May 2026
The Productivity Paradox The cruel irony of America’s sleep deficit is that overwork undermines the output it’s meant to produce.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 4 May 2026
Any deputy found engaging in behavior that undermines the integrity of the department will face appropriate discipline.
—Sierra Van Der Brug, Daily News, 4 May 2026
Even the appearance of profiting from that position undermines public trust.
—Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
But additional research at the Bureau of Labor Statistics undermines their claims, finding no connection between licensing and workplace safety.
—Maxwell Harden, Sun Sentinel, 3 May 2026
Foregrounding the infrastructure that keeps the presidency safe undermines the democratic symbolism of the White House.
—Neil Flanagan, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
Steve Madeley, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Academic struggles Stoner’s career is briefly thwarted by Hollis Lomax, a fellow professor who undermines Stoner’s professional advancement.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026
Annette Martínez-Orabona, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Puerto Rico, said abandoning an investigation into a fraudulent voting scheme in prisons undermines the trust of those who believe in democracy.
—Raquel Rutledge, ProPublica, 8 May 2026
The Productivity Paradox The cruel irony of America’s sleep deficit is that overwork undermines the output it’s meant to produce.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 4 May 2026
Any deputy found engaging in behavior that undermines the integrity of the department will face appropriate discipline.
—Sierra Van Der Brug, Daily News, 4 May 2026
Even the appearance of profiting from that position undermines public trust.
—Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
But additional research at the Bureau of Labor Statistics undermines their claims, finding no connection between licensing and workplace safety.
—Maxwell Harden, Sun Sentinel, 3 May 2026
Foregrounding the infrastructure that keeps the presidency safe undermines the democratic symbolism of the White House.
—Neil Flanagan, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermines
Verb
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As complexity rises, decisions fragment, priorities shift and trust weakens.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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Excluding unhoused people from public spaces reinforces stigma and weakens the social bonds that support stability and recovery.—
Shianne LeClaire,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Verb
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Inconsistent tone weakens the brand, while inaccurate content or misaligned personalization erodes customer trust and costs conversions.—
Georg Ell,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
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Democrats plan to push weekly war powers votes and military funding limits as Republican support erodes, partly driven by concerns about rising gas prices heading into November elections.—
Stephen Groves,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
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About 6 million Americans had opioid use disorder — a problematic pattern of opioid use that significantly impairs or distresses a patient — as of 2022, according to the CDC.—
Amber Gaudet,
Charlotte Observer,
6 May 2026
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In addition to affecting sleep, chronic stress impairs concentration and cognitive function.—
Danielle Wilhour,
The Conversation,
5 May 2026
Verb
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Even one drink of alcohol damages the immune system, lowering its ability to battle invaders within 20 minutes of consumption.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
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Nebraska 2nd District The leading Democratic hopefuls in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District have been battling over whether one candidate's campaign damages the party's competitiveness in the area.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undermines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermines. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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