undoing

[ uhn-doo-ing ]

noun

1. the reversing of what has been done; annulling.

   Synonyms: negation, reversal

2. a bringing to destruction, ruin, or disaster.
3. a cause of destruction or ruin.
4. the act of unfastening or loosing.
5. Psychiatry. an unconscious defense mechanism through which an attempt is made to reverse a psychologically unacceptable act by doing its opposite, usually repetitiously, in order to relieve anxiety.

undoing

/ ʌnˈduːɪŋ /

noun

1. ruin; downfall
2. the cause of downfall

   drink was his undoing

Other Words From

• self-un·doing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of undoing¹

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; undo, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

The undoing of toxic “forever chemicals” may be found in products in your pantry.

From Science News

Yet understanding the minute physical processes behind the undoing of memory could help researchers understand more about this most painful symptom of the disease, and maybe even find ways to slow or stop it.

From Time

These turtles’ land-based lifestyle may have also been their undoing.

From Popular-Science

There is no silver bullet for undoing centuries of biased overpolicing.

From ProPublica

His undoing came because he refused to grant political rights to the large middle class that he himself created.

From Washington Post

Dear God… help us to help ourselves before we become our own undoing.

From The Daily Beast

It was the most violent day in the history of Ukraine since Soviet times and it proved to be the undoing of the Yanukovych regime.

From The Daily Beast

He announced the undoing of what should have never been done.

From The Daily Beast

Boosting spending and undoing a chunk of the sequester is likely to have a bigger impact on the still-ailing job market.

From The Daily Beast

And Friedman presents herself as undoing any destruction she's caused.

From The Daily Beast

He added ‘that he had rather live as a felon or a rebel than adventure his undoing for the Queen.’

From Project Gutenberg

The visit to the theater was the undoing of all the good work accomplished, nor could the result have been foreseen.

From Project Gutenberg

Then stood he up on his feet & she arose likewise, and Sigrid said, This might be thy undoing.

From Project Gutenberg

And no less in doing things than undoing them afterwards (when that has been necessary) have I planned to the very last minuti.

From Project Gutenberg

Smith was undoing and inspecting the parcels, having placed the syphon and fruit on the table.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• downfall
• miscalculation