undermine belief

USAGE SUMMARY

'undermine belief' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an action or process that weakens or destroys someone's trust or faith. For example: "The scandal served to undermine belief in the company's integrity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A shutdown would undermine belief in Scotland's ability to pay its way in the world, which is central to the pro-independence case.

The Economist

But if the economic conditions to justify such yields persist, voters will become even less happy than before and that may undermine belief in the European project.

The Economist

And that separation may explain a couple of big anomalies that undermine belief in the efficiency of markets.The most striking anomaly is momentum the fact that an asset that has recently been rising in price typically continues to do so.

The Economist

Other doubts purport to undermine one's justification (whether or not they undermine belief) — call these 'justification-defeating doubts'.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Thus, art may undermine beliefs and attitudes on which, it is thought, the welfare of society rests and so may be viewed with suspicion by the guardians of custom.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(Secord 1997, p. xxxii, has written that Lyell was in contention for a position in geology at King's College and that one of the electors about to name the successful applicant was an Anglican Bishop who had recently written that geologists were beginning to undermine "beliefs concerning the creation of man and the reality of a universal Deluge").

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The agitation for emigration, the report concluded, "threatens to undermine beliefs in the correctness of the Party's policies".

Wikipedia

The relationship between these intellectual developments and the Revolution of 1789 remains a subject of dispute among historians, but there is no doubt that Enlightenment critiques undermined belief in the traditional institutions that the Revolutionary movement was to destroy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In any case, broad generalizations about the complex cultures and societies that exist within California and Islam may be the stock in trade of television pundits and realpolitik experts, but the novelist disregards social and historical specificity at the risk of undermining belief in his delicate illusion.

The New York Times - Books

After finishing "City in the Sky," it is impossible not to feel that the destruction of the World Trade Center is the psychological equivalent of the sinking of the Titanic, an archetypal disaster that similarly undermined belief in the inevitability of progress and the infallibility of technology.

The New York Times - Books

Inflation undermined belief in the economy and in the economic policy consensus that had lasted since the Great Depression.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "undermine belief" when you want to emphasize a gradual or subtle weakening of someone's confidence or faith in something, rather than an outright destruction of it.

Common error

Avoid using "undermine belief" when the situation involves a complete and immediate loss of faith or trust. Phrases like "destroy belief" or "shatter confidence" might be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undermine belief" functions as a verb phrase where "undermine" is the verb, and "belief" is the direct object. According to Ludwig, it describes the action of weakening or diminishing trust or confidence in something. Examples show it used in contexts ranging from political trust to faith in technology.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "undermine belief" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the gradual weakening of trust or faith. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Though relatively rare, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, as well as in scientific and encyclopedic content. When writing, ensure that the situation genuinely reflects a subtle erosion rather than a complete destruction of belief. Alternatives like "erode confidence" or "weaken faith" can be considered for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

erode confidence

This phrase suggests a gradual weakening of confidence over time.

weaken faith

Focuses specifically on diminishing religious or spiritual conviction.

shake conviction

Implies a forceful challenge to someone's strong belief.

destroy trust

Emphasizes the complete loss of trust, a more severe outcome.

erode trust

Like "erode confidence", this suggests a gradual wearing away of trust.

discredit idea

Shifts the focus to disproving or invalidating a specific idea.

invalidate theory

Focuses on showing a theory to be incorrect or without merit.

challenge assumption

Highlights the act of questioning or disputing an underlying assumption.

cast doubt on

Introduces uncertainty or skepticism about something.

subvert faith

Indicates an attempt to overthrow or corrupt someone's faith.

FAQs

How can I use "undermine belief" in a sentence?

You can use "undermine belief" to describe actions or events that weaken someone's faith or trust in something. For example, "The constant scandals severely undermined belief in the government."

What can I say instead of "undermine belief"?

You can use alternatives like "erode confidence", "weaken faith", or "shake conviction" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "undermine belief" or "undermine faith"?

Both "undermine belief" and "undermine faith" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Belief" generally refers to trust in something, while "faith" often implies a religious or spiritual conviction. Choose the word that best fits the specific context.

What's the difference between "undermine belief" and "challenge belief"?

"Undermine belief" suggests a gradual weakening of trust, while "challenge belief" implies a direct confrontation or questioning of a belief. One erodes subtly; the other attacks directly.