undermine trust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undermine trust" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to weaken or damage the trust that someone has in something or someone. Example: The constant lies and deceit from the company's CEO have undermined the trust of its shareholders and stakeholders.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"And thus undermine trust in the alliance".

The Guardian

Both types of mask undermine trust and effectiveness.

Harvard Business Review

Education reform efforts often undermine trust in schools, but research points to another way.

University of California, Berkeley

"We have long urged both parties to avoid actions which could undermine trust, including in Jerusalem".

The New York Times

Every interaction with another is an opportunity to enhance or undermine trust.

The Economist

Privacy in negotiation is essential because piecemeal comments undermine trust, harden positions and inflame emotional reactions.

The New York Times - Sports

She also has the chance to undermine trust in the prosecution.

The Guardian

It will undermine trust in the essence of fair play on which sport is formed.

The Guardian - Sport

So how did cable news handle this false and reckless attempt to undermine trust in government?

The Washington Post

Questions about authenticity undermine trust in the messages and actions of commercial organizations as well as social institutions.

Stanford University

Failure to do so will undermine trust and raise the prospect of court orders and Justice Department intervention.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "undermine trust", consider the specific aspect of trust being affected. Be precise about what actions or circumstances are leading to the erosion of trust.

Common error

Avoid using "undermine trust" when the situation only involves minor doubts or skepticism. Reserve it for scenarios where there's a significant erosion of confidence and reliability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undermine trust" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe an action that diminishes or weakens the confidence or belief in someone or something. Ludwig examples show diverse applications across various subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

20%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undermine trust" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the weakening of confidence in something or someone. Ludwig AI confirms this, and provides many examples across various contexts like news, science, and academia. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, its usage implies a negative consequence, highlighting the damage to relationships or institutions. Be mindful of the specific aspect of trust being affected to ensure precise and impactful writing. Alternatives like "erode confidence" or "damage credibility" may be more suitable depending on the nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

erode confidence

Focuses on gradual weakening of confidence rather than a direct undermining of trust.

damage credibility

Emphasizes the loss of believability or authority.

weaken faith

Highlights a reduction in belief or reliance.

destroy trust

Indicates a complete loss of trust, a stronger effect than simply undermining it.

sap trust

Implies gradually diminishing trust, like draining a resource.

jeopardize trust

Focuses on the risk or potential loss of trust.

shake confidence in

Highlights causing doubt or uncertainty, rather than directly eroding trust.

discredit

Focuses on harming someone's reputation or making them seem unreliable.

cast doubt on

Emphasizes creating uncertainty or skepticism.

erode faith in

Similar to weaken faith but emphasizes the gradual nature of the decline.

FAQs

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

You can use "undermine trust" to describe actions or events that weaken confidence. For example: "The company's misleading statements severely undermined trust with its customers."

What can I say instead of "undermine trust"?

You can use alternatives like "erode confidence", "damage credibility", or "weaken faith" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "undermine trust" or "undermine the trust"?

"Undermine trust" is generally preferred as it speaks to trust in a general sense. "Undermine the trust" is appropriate when referring to a specific instance or established agreement of trust.

What's the difference between "undermine trust" and "violate trust"?

"Undermine trust" suggests a gradual weakening of confidence, while "violate trust" implies a direct and explicit betrayal or breach of an established trust.