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 Word Forms

• self-undoing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of undoing¹

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

Example Sentences

Some businesses - especially in the hospitality sector - have warned this could put companies off hiring young people, undoing the government's efforts to increase youth employment.

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From that point, England's shot selection was their big undoing.

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Overcome with joy, she tossed armfuls of mail into the air until the room was buried in a blizzard of paper, thus undoing Penelope’s efforts to keep everything in order.

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The Yautja are a ruthless culture whose warriors take pride in hunting alone, and Dek’s stubborn adherence to those rules, even as an outcast, is nearly his undoing.

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Experts say the incident is an example of the very real impact of undoing business and economic ties between the West and China.

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Related Words

• downfall 
• miscalculation www.thesaurus.com