undermining confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undermining confidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or behaviors that weaken or diminish someone's trust or belief in something or someone. Example: "The constant criticism from his peers was undermining his confidence in his abilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Analysts have warned that the inconsistencies are confusing foreign investors and undermining confidence in Japanese equities.

The New York Times

We need to stop putting out these economic studies, because they're undermining confidence in austerity!

The New York Times

If anything, it hurt morale by undermining confidence in the chain of command.

The New Yorker

David Cameron says Mr Brown's approach is undermining confidence in Britain's economy.

The Economist

These policies have pushed up prices, undermining confidence in food markets and encouraging hoarding.

The New York Times

The controversial deal is already undermining confidence in the world's anti-nuclear rules.

The Economist

The prolonged presidential election played a role in undermining confidence, Mr. Van Winkle believes.

The New York Times

These failures are undermining confidence in the UK's immigration system and in the UK's EU membership".

The Guardian

But the decision will probably cause inflation to spike, further undermining confidence in Belarus's authoritarian president, Aleksandr G. Lukashenko.

The New York Times

Likewise, Wall Street feather-bedding is tarnishing the public image of banks and business and undermining confidence in capitalism itself.

The New York Times

Has there ever before been a case of a U.S. administration deliberately undermining confidence for the sake of political advantage?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "undermining confidence", ensure that the subject performing the action directly contributes to the loss of trust or belief. The context should clearly establish a cause-and-effect relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "undermining confidence" when the loss of confidence stems from unrelated factors or external events. Ensure the action directly correlates with the decline in trust.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undermining confidence" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the action of weakening or diminishing trust. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "undermining confidence" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe actions that weaken trust. Ludwig AI supports its validity and wide applicability. Predominantly found in News & Media, Formal & Business and Science contexts, this phrase is suitable for professional and formal communication. To ensure effective use, verify the clear causal link between the action and the erosion of trust. Alternatives like "eroding trust" or "weakening assurance" may offer nuance for various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eroding trust

Focuses more on the gradual destruction of trust over time.

weakening assurance

Implies a reduction in certainty or guarantee, rather than a direct attack.

shaking faith

Specifically relates to a decrease in belief or conviction, often in a more spiritual sense.

eroding credibility

Highlights the damage to one's reputation or believability.

damaging belief

Focuses on the harm caused to a specific belief.

subverting assurance

Implies an active effort to overturn or overthrow confidence.

destabilizing conviction

Suggests making a firm belief unsteady or shaky.

corroding reliance

Emphasizes the gradual destruction of dependence or trust.

attenuating certainty

Highlights the reduction in the degree of sureness or inevitability.

reducing trust

A more general and less impactful way to express diminishing trust.

FAQs

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

Use "undermining confidence" to describe actions or situations that are weakening trust. For example, "The company's constant policy changes are "undermining confidence" in its leadership."

What phrases can I use instead of "undermining confidence"?

Alternatives include "eroding trust", "weakening assurance", or "shaking faith", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "undermining confidence" and "eroding confidence"?

"Undermining confidence" suggests an active process of weakening trust, while "eroding confidence" implies a more gradual and subtle decline. The choice depends on whether the action is direct or incremental.

Is it more appropriate to say "undermining confidence" or "harming confidence"?

"Undermining confidence" often implies a more strategic or consequential weakening of trust, while "harming confidence" is a more general term for causing damage. The best choice depends on the specific context.