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
Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
On Sunday at American Family Field, Matthews’ stuff generally was good, with five strikeouts in just three innings of work, but ultimately a series of walks proved to be his undoing.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 18 May 2025
Nick’s dedication to the commanders proves to be his undoing.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 27 May 2025
Maybe the dutiful nature of this project was its undoing.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for undoing
Noun
As with the first meeting, the third quarter proved to be the Sparks’ undoing.
—Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
On Sunday at American Family Field, Matthews’ stuff generally was good, with five strikeouts in just three innings of work, but ultimately a series of walks proved to be his undoing.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 18 May 2025
Nick’s dedication to the commanders proves to be his undoing.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 27 May 2025
Maybe the dutiful nature of this project was its undoing.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for undoing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undoing
Noun
-
Her goal is clear: to drive a wedge between Lorenzo and his family and bring about his downfall.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
31 July 2025
-
The bill's downfall prompted outrage from state GOP leaders and celebration from the proposal’s opponents.—
Bayliss Wagner,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Verb
-
That conflict of interest was paralyzing when the state auditor worked for the governor and Cabinet instead of for the Legislature.—
Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards,
Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2025
-
After her oxygen level reached a hundred per cent, the nurse delivered paralyzing medication.—
Ayesha Khan,
The New Yorker,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Rodin Cars The big idea behind Rodin is to build cars without bothering about vehicle regulations – in stark contrast to F1 cars, which are subject to several rules around how they're put together.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 Jan. 2025
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The city and state have also been ramping up efforts to engage troubled vagrants sleeping and sometimes bothering straphangers, connecting them with services and shelter and potentially involuntary treatment.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
27 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Unfortunately for the over 200 families and individuals renting at Acacia Cliffs, the City Council has incentivized our displacement and the destruction of 290 of the most affordable apartments in West Austin.—
Shonda Novak,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
Weary of dealing with angry calls from the mayor about Frank’s blithe trail of city property destruction, police chief Davis (CCH Pounder) warns him to play nice with major donor Kane, since Police Squad’s funding is at risk.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
30 July 2025
Verb
-
Occupying and distracting the mind.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
-
While most of the acting is wonderful (Wyle is predictably great, but so is just about all of the main cast), some patient-of-the-week players err towards distracting histrionics.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Overweight and obesity need to be treated safely and effectively to avoid that worrying forecast.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 Dec. 2024
-
Conclusion While the Fed’s efforts to tame runaway inflation rates has helped market sentiments in the past, its recent hawkish outlook for 2025 is now worrying investors.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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But Forbes reported that unraveling TikTok from ByteDance will be all but impossible, and more recently, found that if TikTok is banned, Americans’ data could flow back to China.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
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Jack eventually saves Santa and defeats Oogie by unraveling his cloth, revealing a squirming pile of insects.—
Mike Miller,
People.com,
19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Relapse is alluring, Bart is intimidating, and Son is mysterious.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2025
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While the market’s recent volatility can be intimidating, experts generally recommend investors focus on their long-term goals.—
Ana Teresa Solá,
CNBC,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undoing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undoing. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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