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
Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 10 May 2025
While the future of the agency is unclear, Trump may do good on the undoing of the NEA.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 5 May 2025
That, of course, doesn’t go to plan, as Dorian’s pursuit of eternal youth becomes the character’s undoing (and with a bender of Victorian debauchery and eventual murder along the way).
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 May 2025
But despite Paqueta’s qualities, the theatrical side of his game remains his undoing.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for undoing
Noun
Greif: This is Boston’s undoing, because while the Knicks have played with an undeniable resolve all postseason — multiple comebacks secured their first-round victory against Detroit, too — they’ve also been undeniably flawed.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 10 May 2025
While the future of the agency is unclear, Trump may do good on the undoing of the NEA.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 5 May 2025
That, of course, doesn’t go to plan, as Dorian’s pursuit of eternal youth becomes the character’s undoing (and with a bender of Victorian debauchery and eventual murder along the way).
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 May 2025
But despite Paqueta’s qualities, the theatrical side of his game remains his undoing.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for undoing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undoing
Noun
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The birth of house music in the 1980s was also, in part, a response to the heyday, and unceremonious downfall, of disco, another genre that had distinctly Black origins before garnering more mainstream attention via white artists and culture.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
13 June 2025
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Now, Paris is speaking out about how the movie contributed to their downfall.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
13 June 2025
Verb
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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
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After her oxygen level reached a hundred per cent, the nurse delivered paralyzing medication.—
Ayesha Khan,
The New Yorker,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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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
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Confrontational rhetoric Salami was known for his aggressive rhetoric against both Israel and the United States, calling for the destruction of Israel as early as 2016.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2025
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The destruction of several strategic bombers is another reminder that Kyiv remains determined in its struggle against Moscow’s invasion.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Occupying and distracting the mind.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
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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
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Overweight and obesity need to be treated safely and effectively to avoid that worrying forecast.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 Dec. 2024
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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 18 Jun. 2025.
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