undermine confidence in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undermine confidence in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or behaviors that weaken or damage someone's trust or belief in a person, organization, or concept. Example: "The recent scandal has begun to undermine confidence in the leadership of the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Will water cannons undermine confidence in the police?

The Guardian - Opinion

But mostly, they tried to undermine confidence in VaxGen.

The New York Times

They also try to undermine confidence in the entire process.

The New York Times

The lack of temporal semantics in programs has many consequences that can undermine confidence in systems.

University of California, Berkeley

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

The Economist

An unusually low turnout, or bitterly contested results, could undermine confidence in the new government's legitimacy.

The Economist

Would full passage into law fatally undermine confidence in the U.S. system?

The New Yorker

Her husband's shaky financial dealings came out and helped undermine confidence in the Democratic ticket.

The Guardian - Opinion

The fact that the administration drew them that way should undermine confidence in its self-restraint.

The New York Times

GuildHE, which represents 29 higher education providers, claims it will undermine confidence in the loan system.

The Guardian

"Real or perceived breaches of this trust undermine confidence in our parliamentarians".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "undermine confidence in", consider the specific type of confidence you're addressing. Is it trust in a person, belief in a system, or faith in an idea? Tailor your language to reflect the specific nuance.

Common error

While "undermine confidence in" is a useful phrase, avoid using it repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "erode trust in" or "damage credibility of" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undermine confidence in" functions as a verb phrase that describes the act of weakening or damaging someone's belief or trust in something. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples in Ludwig showcase how various actions or events can lead to a decrease in confidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "undermine confidence in" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe actions or events that weaken trust or belief. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is considered correct in written English. It appears most often in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. To maintain variety in writing, alternatives such as "erode trust in" or "damage credibility of" can be used. Be mindful of the specific nuance when using this phrase, ensuring it aligns with the type of confidence you are referencing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

erode trust in

Focuses specifically on the gradual destruction of trust over time.

undermine belief in

Focuses on weakening the core belief someone holds, similar to "undermine confidence in" but directed at belief.

weaken faith in

Emphasizes the reduction of faith, suggesting a more emotional or spiritual dimension.

damage credibility of

Highlights the harm done to someone's or something's reputation for being believable.

shake belief in

Implies a sudden or forceful disturbance of someone's belief.

cast doubt on

Suggests introducing uncertainty or suspicion about something.

sap confidence in

Indicates a gradual depletion of confidence, often through subtle means.

destroy trust in

Emphasizes the complete annihilation of trust, suggesting irreparable damage.

reduce reliance on

Focuses on decreasing dependence or dependence on something.

fuel skepticism towards

Highlights the increase in doubt or questioning towards a subject.

FAQs

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

You can use "undermine confidence in" to describe actions or events that weaken someone's trust or belief in something. For example, "The scandal began to undermine confidence in the company's leadership."

What are some alternatives to "undermine confidence in"?

Alternatives include "erode trust in", "weaken faith in", or "damage credibility of" depending on the specific context.

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

Both phrases are correct, but "erode confidence in" often implies a gradual process, while "undermine confidence in" can suggest a more immediate or forceful action. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

What's the difference between "undermine confidence in" and "cast doubt on"?

"Undermine confidence in" suggests a weakening of trust that was already present, while "cast doubt on" implies introducing uncertainty where there may not have been any before.