undoing 1 of 2

noun

ˌən-ˈdü-iŋ How to pronounce undoing (audio)
Definition of undoingnext
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

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undoing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of undo
1
as in paralyzing
to deprive of courage or confidence the sudden shriek undid the campers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unfastening
to disengage the knotted parts of undo a tangled shoelace

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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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of undoing
Noun
Their win was a victory for method over the madness that always threatened to be Argentina’s undoing. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 20 July 2026 By hiding violence inside a gift, Nolan suggests that Odysseus and his men lay the groundwork for humanity’s undoing. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 19 July 2026
Verb
Trump reduced the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in Utah by about 90% each, undoing protections established by former presidents on public lands that are sacred among many Native Americans. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 14 July 2026 The injunction insisted that Nexstar and Tegna assets remain distinct, freezing and undoing efforts to combine the companies that had already begun. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for undoing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undoing
  1. downfall
  2. paralyzing
  3. unfastening
  4. bothering
  5. destruction
  6. frightening
  7. untying
  8. distracting
Noun
  • One downfall of being a homeowner is seeing your home start to become a place for unwelcome guests like bats.
    — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 20 July 2026
  • Believing the Trojan Horse to be a peace offering, the officers drag the hollow figure inside the city walls and place it outside the Temple of Athena, which leads to Troy’s harrowing downfall hours later.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 19 July 2026
Definition of downfall
Verb
  • But his mental anguish is upsetting the balance of his cross-species DNA, first with paralyzing headaches and gradually with an internal battle as his arachnid side starts overpowering his human side.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 July 2026
  • Airpower should be assessed by the strategic effects it is tasked to achieve—disrupting enemy systems, paralyzing command, destroying key capabilities, etc.
    — David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of paralyzing
Verb
  • Transforming the cabin from sitting to sleeping is a group effort that includes unpacking the ladder (usually stowed beneath the seats with the luggage), unfastening the upper bunks, and making the beds.
    — Emily Manthei, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026
Definition of unfastening
Verb
  • Hip still bothering Springs Springs lasted just four innings after issuing a season-high five walks, throwing 86 pitches — only 51% of them strikes — and gave up his 28th home run of the season, the most of any pitcher in the league.
    — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Sharks already frequent Southern California beaches, usually without bothering anyone.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of bothering
Noun
  • The term was coined in 1981 based on the cases of four elderly women in Wisconsin who, like the man, had severe destruction of their shoulder joints and massive tears to their rotator cuffs.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026
  • Its mayor, Andriy Sadovyi, posted a video to X showing widespread destruction in part of the city.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of destruction
Verb
  • Powell tried to open the stall door, and then began fondling himself, frightening the 11-year-old, who tried to leave, but Powell blocked him from getting out.
    — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 6 June 2026
  • This war has been a disaster for them, frightening away foreign investors, tourists and talent and burdening them with a future of huge new defense bills to deter Iran after the United States is gone.
    — Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 15 May 2026
Definition of frightening
Verb
  • The Nationals took the lead for good in the seventh inning when rookie John Klein allowed a solo home run to Keibert Ruiz, untying a game that pinch hitter Josh Bell had knotted up a half-inning earlier.
    — Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026
Definition of untying
Verb
  • The Art of Peripheral Focus One of the primary challenges of a 270-degree projection is ensuring the peripheral imagery enhances the experience without distracting from the central narrative.
    — Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • In the context of tens of thousands of DPS students who aren’t making gains quickly enough to ever meet proficiency levels, such fanfare is essentially distracting braggadocio.
    — Elaine Gantz Berman, Denver Post, 27 July 2026
Definition of distracting

Browse Nearby Words

undogmatic
undoing
undoings
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Cite this Entry

“Undoing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undoing. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on undoing

Nglish: Translation of undoing for Spanish Speakers

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