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.
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Recent Examples of undermine
Taking something away from people, under the guise of giving them a choice whether to use it, effectively undermines choice.
—
Megha Satyanarayana, Scientific American, 4 Apr. 2025
As such, the administration’s aggressive approach to tariffs risks undermining the very confidence that has long made the U.S. a top destination for global capital.
Auto tariffs as a case in point
Nowhere is this risk more visible than in the auto industry.
—Bedassa Tadesse, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2025
And even when public policy is crafted to protect first responders as well as regular people, misinformation can undermine a program's messaging.
—Henry Larweh, NPR, 3 Apr. 2025
Critics say Netanyahu, the country’s longest-serving prime minister, has worked in recent years to undermine Israel’s state institutions, including its judiciary.
—Tia Goldenberg, Time, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for undermine
Megha Satyanarayana, Scientific American, 4 Apr. 2025
As such, the administration’s aggressive approach to tariffs risks undermining the very confidence that has long made the U.S. a top destination for global capital.
Auto tariffs as a case in point
Nowhere is this risk more visible than in the auto industry.
—Bedassa Tadesse, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2025
And even when public policy is crafted to protect first responders as well as regular people, misinformation can undermine a program's messaging.
—Henry Larweh, NPR, 3 Apr. 2025
Critics say Netanyahu, the country’s longest-serving prime minister, has worked in recent years to undermine Israel’s state institutions, including its judiciary.
—Tia Goldenberg, Time, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for undermine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermine
Verb
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One way that could happen would be for foreign countries to weaken their currency to make the same product cheaper in dollars for tariff purposes, without raising the end cost to the consumer.—
Brendan Coffey,
Sportico.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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But that progress stalled out around the turn of the year, which weakened the case for further rate cuts and ultimately prompted the Fed to stand pat in January.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Substance Use Ravages Mitochondria And Mental Health Alcohol, stimulants, and tobacco all impair mitochondrial function—sometimes permanently.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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She is charged with criminal vehicular homicide, felony criminal operation and driving while impaired, among other violations.—
Olivia Estright,
Twin Cities,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Now, just as television’s role turned front-row briefing seats into prime real estate, evolving technology may erode the importance of giving those seats to television and newswire services.—
Haisten Willis,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Apr. 2025
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Chevron also challenged the costly wetlands restoration project proposed by the parish, which involved removing large amounts of contaminated soil and filling in the swaths fragmented wetlands eroded over the last century.—
Jack Brook,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Their son and daughter-in-law, Cameron Bott, 35, and his wife, Diana, 36, whose nearby home was damaged in the tornado, initiated a discussion about starting a GoFundMe to offset potential insurance shortfalls in rebuilding the gas station.—
Tammy Ljungblad,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2025
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In total, mountain pine beetles have damaged about 5,600 acres of forest.—
Sharon Udasin,
The Hill,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Clever design choices enable a lower price point without compromising D’Agostino’s core values, inside and out.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
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Taking us out of the equation would water down and compromise the world’s ability to fight disease, and would be tantamount to compromising yourselves.—
Alice Park,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undermine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermine. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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