as in to weaken
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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 undermine
But doctors have argued that shifting recommendations from universal to SCDM can still undermine access even if coverage remains unchanged.
—
Grayson Logue, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026
Nothing undermines success like a lack of stability, and of course, a lacking quarterback.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 9 Jan. 2026
Union leaders are harassed and arrested, workplaces remain perilous, and bargaining is undermined by intimidation and retaliation.
—Tharo Khun, Sourcing Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
But videos of the shooting—captured from multiple angles by bystanders—undermine the administration’s narrative.
—Eric Lutz, Vanity Fair, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for undermine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermine
Verb
-
Evergreen branches bent under the weight of snow are already weakened; sweeping down the length of the branch toward the ground adds to the stress and increases the potential for breakage.—
-
These policies impose devastating costs on American citizens, weakening our economy, increasing the national debt, straining public budgets and tearing families apart.—
Verb
-
Ruppe took a plea deal for involuntary manslaughter and driving while impaired in the death.—
-
By October of that year, Do and other doctors working for Liberty began billing California’s Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund, a workers’ compensation fund for individuals already disabled or impaired at the time of a workplace injury, according to the plea agreement.—
Verb
-
Cultural, linguistic, and value-based assimilation challenges arise, potentially altering national identities and eroding civilizational confidence.—
-
And policies that erode IP rights will ultimately slow the pace of innovation — and the prosperity that comes with it.—
Verb
-
Stay away from windows as flying debris generated by damaging winds can be deadly.—
-
According to Brown, Hurricane Michael damaged 80 percent of the park’s namesake trees, but through a project with the Florida Park Service and Atlanta Botanical Garden, seeds obtained from living trees are being grown and planted in the ravine habitat at Torreya State Park.—
Verb
-
And although lightweight, the shoe doesn’t compromise on support — it’s designed with a memory foam sole that absorbs impact and provides an extra layer of padding.—
-
Autoliv and Tensor say their co-developed system is intended to remove those constraints without compromising safety.—
Cite this Entry
“Undermine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermine. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share