as in erosion
a gradual weakening, loss, or destruction
the view that the constant mudslinging and negative campaigning contributes to the undermining of the public's faith in politics and government
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in weakening
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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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of undermining
John S. Tobey, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Flores and Cantello also said many of their colleagues were placed on administrative leave after signing a letter of dissent criticizing EPA leadership’s undermining of public trust and disregard for scientific consensus.
—William Tong, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
By targeting us – the creators who give voice to diverse narratives and foster dialogue – these signatories are undermining their own cause and attempting to silence us.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
Thanks in advance' This phrase can seem presumptuous, undermining the other person's ability to say no.
—Melody Wilding, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
For decades, educators have been wary of the decline in critical thinking and its impact on undermining the very purpose of education.
—Sixteen Ramos, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
The remote appearance craze has made serious inroads to federal criminal trials potentially undermining a key right of the accused.
—Robert Anello, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The district backed off from any moves that might be seen as undermining its magnet or selective enrollment programs.
—Mila Koumpilova, ProPublica, 9 Sep. 2025
The current cashless bail policies are failing victims, emboldening repeat offenders, and undermining the trust people place in our justice system.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
The past eight months have been wasted by the US president in terms of planning for Ukraine’s survival and European security, with needless cozying up to Moscow and undermining of a strategic transatlantic alliance that Washington will still need in the decades to come.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
What is required is a pullback - on huge deficits, on aggravating international and internal relationships, and on the undermining of historical foundations of the United States.
—John S. Tobey, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Flores and Cantello also said many of their colleagues were placed on administrative leave after signing a letter of dissent criticizing EPA leadership’s undermining of public trust and disregard for scientific consensus.
—William Tong, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
Caracas insists the buildup is part of a broader campaign directed at undermining President Nicolás Maduro’s government.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
By targeting us – the creators who give voice to diverse narratives and foster dialogue – these signatories are undermining their own cause and attempting to silence us.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025
Thanks in advance' This phrase can seem presumptuous, undermining the other person's ability to say no.
—Melody Wilding, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
For decades, educators have been wary of the decline in critical thinking and its impact on undermining the very purpose of education.
—Sixteen Ramos, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
The remote appearance craze has made serious inroads to federal criminal trials potentially undermining a key right of the accused.
—Robert Anello, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The district backed off from any moves that might be seen as undermining its magnet or selective enrollment programs.
—Mila Koumpilova, ProPublica, 9 Sep. 2025
The current cashless bail policies are failing victims, emboldening repeat offenders, and undermining the trust people place in our justice system.
—Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
The past eight months have been wasted by the US president in terms of planning for Ukraine’s survival and European security, with needless cozying up to Moscow and undermining of a strategic transatlantic alliance that Washington will still need in the decades to come.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermining
Noun
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The rise is coupled with major political shifts in the country following the election of President Bernardo Arévalo, who vowed to fight corruption, tackle inequality, and rectify the discrimination against Indigenous Peoples after years of democratic erosion and corruption.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The effect was enhanced by the erosion caused by a century of pollution on the sandstone, which was originally obtained from Montjuïc.—
D. T. Max,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Then the hurricane continued on a more northward path around the islands and finally began weakening after powerful 145 mph winds tapered off.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Total job growth was revised lower by the largest amount in history, The revisions erased 911 thousand jobs over the full year period, adding to mounting concerns of a weakening labor market and fueling questions as to the reliability of monthly data being used to gauge employment.—
JJ Kinahan,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
China has rejected the accusation and accused the Philippines of damaging the coral reef ecosystem in the waterway instead.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
-
To get a much clearer look at its fine details and avoid damaging the specimen, the research team used highly powerful synchrotron CT scans from facilities in France and the UK.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Rising living costs, inflation eroding purchasing power, and longer life spans have all made stepping away from the workforce more difficult than ever.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Since 2019, cumulative inflation stands at 26%, eroding any real progress made through job-hopping or promotions.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The researchers speculate that increases in fine particulate matter could be reducing running performance by constricting blood vessels, increasing inflammation, and impairing lung and brain function, but further research is needed to pin down the exact mechanisms at play.—
Claire Maldarelli,
Scientific American,
28 Feb. 2025
-
First, the rules under which community associations operate emphasize the protections of the residents’ rights, while not unduly impairing the ability of the association to carry out their responsibilities to the community as a whole.—
Gary Singer,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Unit construction costs are estimated at $277,000, arriving at rents 40% below comparable market apartments, proving that pre-construction design work married with the right product with the right site can deliver lower cost without compromising investor yield.—
Jennifer Castenson,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Lovevook Laptop Tote Bag Looking stylish for work doesn’t have to mean compromising on function.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undermining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermining. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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