undoing

noun

un·​do·​ing ˌən-ˈdü-iŋ 

1

: an act of loosening : unfastening

2

: ruin

also : a cause of ruin

greed was to prove his undoing

3

: annulment, reversal

Synonyms

• death
• destruction
• downfall
• ruin
• ruination

Examples of undoing in a Sentence

My quick temper was my undoing.

His quick temper helped lead to his undoing.

The incident resulted in her undoing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Biden’s loose tongue eventually proved his undoing. —Philip Elliott, TIME, 31 Oct. 2024

Last season’s shoulder injury was a tremendous setback for the young gunslinger, and at this point nobody knows if that setback will ultimately be his undoing. —Jesse Reed, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

In many ways, the pandemic was a crucial catalyst of the scene, and the end of the lockdown was its undoing. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 3 Oct. 2024

His evil-doing becomes his untimely undoing and merely bridges gaps to allow other, more powerful forces of change (for better or worse) to rise around him. —EW.com, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

undoing

noun

un·​do·​ing ˌən-ˈdü-iŋ 

1

: an act or instance of unfastening

2

a

: ruin entry 1 sense 1

parental neglect helped lead to their undoing

b

: a cause of ruin

my quick temper was my undoing

3

: reversal, annulment