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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Recent Examples of undermining
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
Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026
That said, a few words readily available would help connect the dots without undermining the provocation.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
The move comes amid a broader crackdown on speech since the start of the Iran war, targeting those expressing support for Tehran or criticism of Gulf governments, and the publication of images of war damage, which are seen as undermining public confidence and stability.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 20 Apr. 2026
But some also quietly worry the White House’s role in trying to bolster the field risks politicizing it and undermining the credibility of research.
—Elaine Chen, STAT, 20 Apr. 2026
Min, in turn, accused Bang of hostile treatment and of undermining NewJeans in favor of other groups, as the dispute moved into courts.
—ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
Any sustained rise in energy prices risks widening the current account deficit and undermining macroeconomic stability.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2026
The rollout lacked clarity, consistency and adequate communication — undermining trust and creating confusion for residents, visitors and institutions alike.
—Kent Lee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
If the consequences of tariffs a year in are any indication, the authors warned, a trade policy designed to crack down on importers could end up undermining and altering the makeup of regional economies nationwide.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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
But caregivers say Kennedy’s comments paint with too broad a brush and risk undermining services that millions depend on.
—Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026
That said, a few words readily available would help connect the dots without undermining the provocation.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
The move comes amid a broader crackdown on speech since the start of the Iran war, targeting those expressing support for Tehran or criticism of Gulf governments, and the publication of images of war damage, which are seen as undermining public confidence and stability.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 20 Apr. 2026
But some also quietly worry the White House’s role in trying to bolster the field risks politicizing it and undermining the credibility of research.
—Elaine Chen, STAT, 20 Apr. 2026
Min, in turn, accused Bang of hostile treatment and of undermining NewJeans in favor of other groups, as the dispute moved into courts.
—ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
Any sustained rise in energy prices risks widening the current account deficit and undermining macroeconomic stability.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2026
The rollout lacked clarity, consistency and adequate communication — undermining trust and creating confusion for residents, visitors and institutions alike.
—Kent Lee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
If the consequences of tariffs a year in are any indication, the authors warned, a trade policy designed to crack down on importers could end up undermining and altering the makeup of regional economies nationwide.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermining
Noun
-
The miss was driven by faster-than-expected generic erosion of the company's best-selling medicines Entresto, Promacta, and Tasigna, which each missed by between 7% and 17%, according to Citi analysts.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Investigators say initial reports said that a bass boat had hit a breakwater, which is a long wall usually built by the shore to reduce erosion.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Onion Grass These invasive weeds are fast-growing and rob your grass of water, nutrients, and sunlight, weakening your garden over time, says Brian Feldman, senior director of technical operations at TruGreen.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Muscle loss and bone weakening Numerous studies have documented that rapid weight loss from Ozempic and other medications can cause significant muscle loss, especially in people who don’t increase their protein intake.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Wind gusts reached up to 110 mph, damaging homes throughout the city as the storm moved northeast.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Days of severe storms to come The shift in the weather pattern that sparked Thursday night’s storms will keep the threat level elevated for damaging wind gusts, hail and tornadoes in the central US into early next week.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mammoth bluffs followed by last-minute retreats only deepened perceptions of inconsistency, further eroding deterrence.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
European carmakers lose premium brand status in China European carmakers are losing their premium brand status in China, as younger consumers opt for cars from domestic brands, further eroding Western firms’ prospects in a cutthroat global market.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Crude oil also disrupts animals’ nervous systems, Grosell added, impairing their senses and ability to navigate, process input, and properly orient themselves in their environment.—
Asuka Koda,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The now former Hungarian leader has been widely criticized for dismantling or impairing many democratic institutions including the Constitution, law courts and the media, and packing influential committees with loyalists.—
Patrick Smith,
NBC news,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rampart’s damage-tolerant design and payload flexibility are intended to support operations where aircraft may be lost without compromising overall mission effectiveness.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
-
As shoe trends have changed over the years, wearing sneakers has emerged as the best option for comfort without compromising style.—
Ruhama Wolle,
Glamour,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Undermining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermining. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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