undermine the rationale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'undermine the rationale' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you wish to express the idea of weakening, calling into question, or negating an argument or proposed course of action. For example: "The discovery of new evidence has started to undermine the rationale for implementing the proposed plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Two buttons would undermine the rationale of the Mac user interface.

The Guardian - Opinion

The proposed "repeal amendment" would also undermine the rationale for the Supreme Court as we now know it.

The New York Times

But if Erbitux was shown to work on its own, it would undermine the rationale behind the main study, threatening approval of the drug.

The New York Times

Like Supreme Court justices, the members of the Fed board undermine the rationale for their independence if they use their power for partisan purposes.

The New York Times - Magazine

The new policy would, however, undermine the rationale the Supreme Court voiced in 2000 when it affirmed the right of the Scouts to discriminate against gay people.

The New York Times

Jeff Chester of the Center for Digital Democracy, a Washington-based nonprofit organization, wrote in his blog (democraticmedia.org/jcblog/) on Thursday that commercial ventures like the coffee deal were "a short-sighted and short-term strategy" for PBS that threatened "to undermine the rationale for taxpayer support".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Supporting it undermined the rationale behind this leadership.

Independent

Mr Dean has also seen his competitors stealing his best lines while systematically undermining the rationale of his own campaign.

The Economist

The project of European economic integration, and its associated peace project, effectively merged with the Euro-Atlantic security partnership, a fateful elision that undermined the rationale of both and which in the end provoked the Ukraine crisis.

The Guardian

At a press conference in London on Monday, Kerry said that if the Obama Administration went ahead with air strikes designed to degrade the Syrian military and prevent it from using chemical weapons in the future, it would be an "unbelievably small, limited kind of effort" — inadvertently undermining the rationale for any action at all.

The New Yorker

His testimony, and the partisan exchanges in the hearing room over whether what he described as an intelligence failure undermined the rationale for going to war, underscored the problem facing President Bush as he tries to deal with the political and diplomatic fallout from Dr. Kay's statements.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "undermine the rationale", ensure that you provide specific evidence or arguments to support your claim. This strengthens your analysis and makes your point more convincing.

Common error

Avoid using "undermine the rationale" when the impact is minimal or uncertain. Overstating the effect can weaken your credibility. Instead, use more nuanced language to reflect the actual level of impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undermine the rationale" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action that diminishes or weakens the foundation of an idea, argument, or decision. The phrase is often used to critique or challenge existing beliefs or justifications.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undermine the rationale" effectively conveys the act of weakening or discrediting the underlying justification for something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts and functions as a verb phrase, expressing doubt or disagreement by attacking the logic behind an idea. While there are no strict grammatical errors associated with its use, it's essential to provide specific evidence and avoid overstating the impact. Semantically similar phrases include "weaken the justification" and "erode the foundation", which offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weaken the justification

Replaces "rationale" with "justification", focusing on the act of justifying something rather than the reasoning behind it.

erode the foundation

Substitutes "rationale" with "foundation", shifting the emphasis to the underlying base or structure that supports an argument or belief.

undercut the reasoning

Replaces "rationale" with "reasoning", highlighting the process of logical thought and inference.

diminish the basis

Replaces "undermine" with "diminish" and "rationale" with "basis", softening the impact of the phrase and focusing on reducing the importance of the foundation.

challenge the premise

Replaces "undermine" with "challenge" and "rationale" with "premise", introducing an element of questioning or disputing the initial assumption.

invalidate the grounds

Replaces "undermine" with "invalidate" and "rationale" with "grounds", focusing on rendering the basis for something null and void.

sabotage the reasoning

Replaces "undermine" with "sabotage", implying a deliberate attempt to destroy the logical argument.

destroy the foundation

Replaces "undermine" with "destroy", indicating a complete demolition of the supporting structure or belief system.

debunk the logic

Replaces "undermine the rationale" with "debunk the logic", implying a process of exposing the falseness of an idea.

refute the justification

Replaces "undermine" with "refute", indicating a formal denial or contradiction of the rationale.

FAQs

How can I use "undermine the rationale" in a sentence?

You can use "undermine the rationale" to indicate that something weakens or discredits the basis or justification for a belief, action, or decision. For example: "New evidence began to undermine the rationale for the war."

What are some alternatives to saying "undermine the rationale"?

You can use alternatives like "weaken the justification", "erode the foundation", or "challenge the premise" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "undermine the rationale" or "undercut the rationale"?

Both "undermine the rationale" and "undercut the rationale" are acceptable. They are near synonyms. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific nuance you want to convey. "Undercut the rationale" might suggest a more forceful or decisive weakening.

What's the difference between "undermine the rationale" and "weaken the rationale"?

"Undermine the rationale" implies a more subtle or gradual weakening, while "weaken the rationale" suggests a more direct or noticeable reduction in strength or validity. The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of impact you want to emphasize.