as in to depose
to remove from a position of prominence or power (as a throne)
a movie studio chief who likes to boast that he can unmake any star in Hollywood if he wishes
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unmake
Right at its center is a two-scene knockout about the making (and unmaking) of reputations that only an actor of Hackman’s deftness could pull off.
—
Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025
The picture that emerged was more multifaceted than the one Thompson had painted, with complicated intersections of race, gender, and geography continually unmaking and remaking group identities.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 2 Feb. 2025
Plans have been made, stalled and unmade ever since.
—Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2025
His discoveries promise to upset the gaming tables of every school of thought that wagers on new and untested art for idlers’ rewards: the love of novelty, the will to make or unmake reputations, the wish to be hip or au courant.
—Mark Greif, Harper's Magazine, 26 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for unmake
Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025
The picture that emerged was more multifaceted than the one Thompson had painted, with complicated intersections of race, gender, and geography continually unmaking and remaking group identities.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 2 Feb. 2025
Plans have been made, stalled and unmade ever since.
—Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2025
His discoveries promise to upset the gaming tables of every school of thought that wagers on new and untested art for idlers’ rewards: the love of novelty, the will to make or unmake reputations, the wish to be hip or au courant.
—Mark Greif, Harper's Magazine, 26 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for unmake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unmake
Verb
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He was signed aged 29 in 2022 on a free transfer, usurped Vicente Guaita to become first choice and then, after being deposed by Henderson, was sold to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2024 for £10million ($13.5m).—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
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None of those who were deposed was mentioned by name at the hearing.—
Paul Egan,
Freep.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
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Planting them in groups or among other plants helps keep them upright, but tall varieties often topple over onto their neighbors as the season progresses.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 July 2025
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The Islamic Republic grew even weaker in December, when rebels toppled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, another faithful Iranian ally.—
MOHAMMAD AYATOLLAHI TABAAR,
Foreign Affairs,
8 July 2025
Verb
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At least one department, the Department of Veterans Affairs, has massively scaled back a plan to sack more than 76,000 employees.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
10 July 2025
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On a stroll through New York City yesterday, Hathaway’s outfit offered a fun solution for not sacking off your denim in the high summer heat just yet.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
10 July 2025
Verb
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With the reciprocal tariffs, Trump is dismissing the rules governing world trade.—
Aamer Madhani,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
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So far, nearly 60,000 federal employees have been dismissed, with the State Department layoffs marking the latest round of cuts.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
Verb
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Alabama last year became the first state to carry out an execution with nitrogen gas, a method that involves pumping nitrogen through a face mask and depriving the inmate of oxygen.—
Kim Chandler,
Los Angeles Times,
4 July 2025
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Permitting their unlawful removal would thwart that purpose and deprive the public of the commission's full expertise and oversight.—
Melissa Quinn
July 2,
CBS News,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unmake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unmake. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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