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
These courts too often operate as defenders of an unjust status quo, function with minimal accountability, and regularly undermine legislative reforms.
—
Peter Martin, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2025
Trump and Musk could attempt to undermine American democracy and create a Russian-style power vertical without kowtowing to Putin or abandoning Ukraine.
—Garry Kasparov, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2025
Doing so would have undermined his credibility, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote for the majority.
—Dakin Andone, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
The same goes for Jay Ellis, a convincing basketball coach in stature if not execution (the gameplay scenes undermine the Pat Riley/Phil Jackson parallels) who never gets to have any fun.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for undermine
Peter Martin, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2025
Trump and Musk could attempt to undermine American democracy and create a Russian-style power vertical without kowtowing to Putin or abandoning Ukraine.
—Garry Kasparov, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2025
Doing so would have undermined his credibility, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote for the majority.
—Dakin Andone, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
The same goes for Jay Ellis, a convincing basketball coach in stature if not execution (the gameplay scenes undermine the Pat Riley/Phil Jackson parallels) who never gets to have any fun.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for undermine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermine
Verb
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In the fourth quarter of 2024, WK Kellogg reported net sales of $640 million, a decrease of 1.7% compared to $651 million in the same period in 2023, impacted by a 5.6% volume decline and a 40 basis point headwind from the weakening Canadian dollar.—
Joe Cornell,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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But the Trump administration's new cuts further weaken a banking watchdog that has been sounding the alarm for years about its decreasing ability to prevent future banking crises.—
Maria Aspan,
NPR,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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All aunts were impaired and physically in need of help.—
Carolyn Rosenblatt,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
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The researchers speculate that increases in fine particulate matter could be reducing running performance by constricting blood vessels, increasing inflammation, and impairing lung and brain function, but further research is needed to pin down the exact mechanisms at play.—
Claire Maldarelli,
Scientific American,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Spinrad said the cuts, especially of researchers who collect data that feeds into storm models, could erode the quality of hurricane forecasts going forward.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
1 Mar. 2025
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Despite creating jobs and potential environmental benefits, chronic mismanagement and escalating costs have eroded public trust, making continued taxpayer support irresponsible.—
Phillip Molnar,
The Mercury News,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Displays of authenticity, executed improperly, can damage reputations and even derail careers.—
Harrison Monarth,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
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Moon dust plagued astronauts and spacecraft during NASA’s Apollo program in the mid-20th century, as the fine and abrasive material damaged camera lenses and visors, according to NASA.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In today’s environment, where DEI programs are under attack and frequently misunderstood, leaders who invest in building and supporting diverse teams unlock a broader range of perspectives, fueling better decision-making without compromising on standards or quality.—
Rebekah Bastian,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
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Does that critical framework become compromised with the infusion of ethnic studies as the primary content?—
Marsha Sutton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undermine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermine. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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