as in weakens
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 undermines
Patients can’t continue absorbing these unnecessary costs, and physicians like me are increasingly frustrated by how hospital consolidation undermines our ability to provide affordable, high-quality care.
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Lisa Abrams, Baltimore Sun, 11 Dec. 2024
Trying to stay transparent and ensure alignment can unintentionally flood teams with excessive details, which undermines their focus and productivity.
—Antony Robinson, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Another fatal flaw of tariffs that undermines their role in bringing back jobs is how they can be dismantled overnight by the next administration.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
But this undermines the argument that there is no way to distinguish somebody who takes hormones for gender confusion rather than for another reason.
—The Editors, National Review, 5 Dec. 2024
Traditionalists argue that the focus on electric vehicles and sustainability undermines the brand's core values of raw power and performance.
—Timothy Papandreou, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
Some North Carolina Republicans have questioned whether the state's voter ID exception form undermines the purpose of the law.
—Steve Harrison, NPR, 4 Dec. 2024
Similarly, the scarcity created by withholding behaviors may amplify desire in the moment but often undermines the long-term health of the relationship.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
Criticisms include that the legislation was rushed through Parliament without adequate scrutiny, is ineffective, poses privacy risks for all users, and undermines the authority of parents to make decisions for their children.
—Rod McGuirk, Chicago Tribune, 28 Nov. 2024
Lisa Abrams, Baltimore Sun, 11 Dec. 2024
Trying to stay transparent and ensure alignment can unintentionally flood teams with excessive details, which undermines their focus and productivity.
—Antony Robinson, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Another fatal flaw of tariffs that undermines their role in bringing back jobs is how they can be dismantled overnight by the next administration.
—Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
But this undermines the argument that there is no way to distinguish somebody who takes hormones for gender confusion rather than for another reason.
—The Editors, National Review, 5 Dec. 2024
Traditionalists argue that the focus on electric vehicles and sustainability undermines the brand's core values of raw power and performance.
—Timothy Papandreou, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
Some North Carolina Republicans have questioned whether the state's voter ID exception form undermines the purpose of the law.
—Steve Harrison, NPR, 4 Dec. 2024
Similarly, the scarcity created by withholding behaviors may amplify desire in the moment but often undermines the long-term health of the relationship.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
Criticisms include that the legislation was rushed through Parliament without adequate scrutiny, is ineffective, poses privacy risks for all users, and undermines the authority of parents to make decisions for their children.
—Rod McGuirk, Chicago Tribune, 28 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for undermines
Verb
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Everyone who fell severely ill from the mysterious disease was also severely malnourished, which weakens immunity.Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
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The legislation also weakens the authority of the governor to fill vacancies on the state court of appeals and the state Supreme Court, while prohibiting the attorney general from taking legal positions contrary to the Legislature’s.Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Trust erodes as teams notice leaders avoiding problems.Curt Steinhorst, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
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Endless scrolling through surface-level content erodes deep thinking and analytical skills.Mark Travers, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In 2022, Willis was diagnosed with aphasia dementia, a cognitive disorder that impairs speech and communication over time.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024
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This is defined as exhaustion that significantly impairs your quality of life.Brittany Risher, SELF, 6 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near undermines
Cite this Entry
“Undermines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/undermines. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
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