undermine confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

"undermine confidence" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a decrease in someone's self-confidence. For example, "The constant criticism from her boss began to undermine her confidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But coming events could undermine confidence.

The New York Times

Struggling banks undermine confidence and credit.

The Economist

Being indecisive can undermine confidence and trust.

The Guardian

This threatens to further undermine confidence.

The Washington Post

But such technical disruptions undermine confidence for everyone.

The Economist

Will water cannons undermine confidence in the police?

The Guardian - Opinion

But mostly, they tried to undermine confidence in VaxGen.

The New York Times

These abrupt policy changes undermine confidence and squander resources.

The Guardian

They also try to undermine confidence in the entire process.

The New York Times

A piecemeal approach "could further undermine confidence and leave the euro area vulnerable to renewed stress".

The Economist

They fret that to discuss alternatives to the dollar peg is to undermine confidence in it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the intensity of the impact. If the effect is gradual, "erode confidence" might be more appropriate. If it's a sudden shock, "shake confidence" might fit better.

Common error

Avoid using "undermine confidence" as a generic phrase for any negative impact. Instead, specify the direct consequence: for example, rather than saying "the policy undermines confidence", specify whether it leads to reduced investment, increased anxiety, or another specific outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undermine confidence" functions as a verb phrase where "undermine" (verb) acts upon "confidence" (noun). It's used to describe the action of weakening or diminishing someone's assurance or belief, as confirmed by the Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undermine confidence" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that describes the act of weakening or eroding someone's belief or assurance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions primarily to convey the negative impact of actions or events on one's trust or self-esteem. It appears most frequently in "News & Media", "Science", and "Formal & Business" contexts. Related phrases include "erode trust" and "weaken assurance". When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the object of confidence and the specific consequences of its undermining. While versatile, avoid overuse in vague contexts to maintain precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

erode trust

Focuses on the gradual destruction of trust rather than confidence specifically. A slow process.

weaken assurance

Highlights the lessening of certainty or guarantee. Less about emotional state and more about perceived reliability.

damage credibility

Shifts the focus to the believability and trustworthiness of a person or entity rather than the emotional state of confidence.

shake faith

Suggests a disturbance or questioning of deeply held beliefs or trust. More intense and fundamental than simply undermining confidence.

diminish belief

Emphasizes a reduction in the acceptance or conviction of something. Focuses on intellectual acceptance rather than emotional assurance.

impair certainty

Focuses on the reduction of sureness. Highlights the decrease in conviction or accuracy.

jeopardize conviction

Indicates that a firm belief is put at risk. Highlights the exposure to a danger.

disrupt reliance

Highlights the disturbance of dependence on something or someone. Focuses on the disruption to dependancy, not necessarily the loss of confidence.

lower morale

Focuses on a decrease in team spirit. It is limited to team.

spoil reputation

Focuses on a destruction in fame. Limited to the destruction of fame and is not related to undermining confidence.

FAQs

What does "undermine confidence" mean?

The phrase "undermine confidence" means to weaken or erode someone's belief in themselves or in something. It suggests a decrease in assurance or certainty.

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

You can use "undermine confidence" to describe actions or events that reduce someone's self-belief or trust in something. For example, "The company's financial troubles began to undermine confidence in its leadership."

What can I say instead of "undermine confidence"?

You can use alternatives like "erode trust", "weaken assurance", or "damage credibility" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "erode confidence" or "undermine confidence"?

Both "undermine confidence" and "erode confidence" are correct, but "erode" suggests a gradual weakening, while "undermine" can imply a more deliberate or forceful weakening.