UNDERMINING Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

undermining 1 of 2

noun

as in erosion

a gradual weakening, loss, or destruction the view that the constant mudslinging and negative campaigning contributes to the undermining of the public's faith in politics and government

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undermining

2 of 2

verb

present participle of undermine

as in weakening

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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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 undermining

Noun

The fine reflected an improper disclosure of a draft candidate’s data and the undermining of trade secrets. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 June 2026 The concentration of power in one person, the undermining of elections, disregarding the rule of law, the weakening checks and balances, and replacing constitutional loyalty with personal loyalty. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026 This is a direct undermining of the idea of art. — Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026 Long commute times are certainly frustrating, but continual undermining of mass transit projects isn’t going to solve the problem. — Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 Jan. 2026 What is the purpose of this layering and undermining of the story’s authenticity? — John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025 The undermining of an independent judiciary. — Richard Stengel, Time, 1 Oct. 2025 What is required is a pullback - on huge deficits, on aggravating international and internal relationships, and on the undermining of historical foundations of the United States. — John S. Tobey, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025 Flores and Cantello also said many of their colleagues were placed on administrative leave after signing a letter of dissent criticizing EPA leadership’s undermining of public trust and disregard for scientific consensus. — William Tong, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025

Verb

The same practices that have allowed the Kremlin to relentlessly tighten its political control are also undermining the state’s capacity to govern. — Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026 As to alleged contempt, the siblings could argue that exploration of a sale of the team should not count as evidence of undermining the 2017 court order. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Many economists and market players argue that the real reason long-term yields rose is that traders are increasingly worried that America’s burgeoning debt is undermining its financial credibility. — Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Aug. 2026 Illinois’ share of the settlement is up to about $768 million, ending a case targeting the role Meta’s platforms played in undermining kids’ mental health. — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 For Salesforce, investors have worried that increasingly capable AI models could allow businesses to accomplish more with fewer traditional software subscriptions, undermining the industry's pricing model. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 Paramount cannot make unlimited guarantees without undermining the financial assumptions underlying the acquisition. — Joseph M. Singer, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026 Trump has accused the sultanate of undermining his efforts to strike a deal with Iran and end the war, which began at the end of February and are now in a stalemate. — Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2026 According to Axios, the US military has helped ferry crude through the Strait of Hormuz, driving overall levels of exports through the key waterway to about half of prewar levels and undermining Iranian efforts to control the crossing. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermining

Noun

Not Mulching Soil needs to be covered to retain moisture and prevent erosion.

— Lauren David, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2026
By the twentieth century, intensive farming practices had left the South dangerously vulnerable to erosion, producing depleted swaths of land where kudzu would later flourish.

— The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of erosion

Verb

Throughout this year, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has been weakening the Navy’s leadership by blocking the promotion of nearly 20 admirals.

— Andrea N. Goldstein, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Wheat futures hit their highest level in more than three years as the war in Ukraine strained supplies, further weakening the global food system.

— Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of weakening

Verb

Prosecutors have also charged him with making false statements to investigators about allegedly damaging Mica’s car tires.

— Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
Russian drones hit three major distribution centers, destroying depots belonging to a toy store chain and a confectionery company, and damaging another run by an electronics retailer, the companies said.

— Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of damaging

Verb

By eroding the feedback loop that every stable government—even the most authoritarian—needs to stay in power, the Putin regime is becoming less capable of understanding the real condition of Russia.

— Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
This ambiguity from different agencies creates an information vacuum, fostering misinformation and eroding public trust.

— Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of eroding

Verb

The task is to match instruments to problems and restore financial stability to its proper place in the Fed’s framework, without unnecessarily impairing the capital formation on which America’s long-run competitiveness may depend.

— Joao Gomes, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
At the same time sweeping farm loan waivers have been criticized for impairing credit discipline, draining the public exchequer, and discouraging lending.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of impairing

Verb

For Zarina Pino, a medical doctor, the calendar change this year feels particularly meaningful, as a Miami-Dade County Public Schools alumna herself who never got to embrace the holiday without compromising her schoolwork.

— Jimena Tavel, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Luxury fibers introduce refined sensory qualities without compromising denim’s structure.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of compromising

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“Undermining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermining. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of undermining

noun

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