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undoing definition

un·do·ing (un do̵̅o̅′iŋ)

noun

  1. the act of opening, untying, etc.
  2. a reversal of the doing of something done or accomplished; canceling or annulling
  3. the act of bringing to ruin, disgrace, or destruction
  4. the cause or source of ruin, disgrace, or destruction

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

undoing Synonyms

undoing

n.

  1. Ruin

    ruination, downfall, doom, reversal, destruction, misfortune, calamity, overthrow, collapse, trouble, grief, catastrophe, defeat, perdition, shipwreck, smash, wrack, subversion, discomfiture, collapse.

    Antonyms success*, accomplishment*, achievement. *

  2. The cause of ruin

    casualty, accident, mishap, misadventure, misstep, faux pas (French), bad hap, catastrophe, mischance, bad luck, adversity, reverse, blow, trial, affliction, visitation, stroke of fate, slip, blunder, fault, omission, difficulty, failure, error, miscalculation, trip, stumble, fumble, blunder, repulse, discouragement, death-blow, last straw, death knell.

    Antonyms advantage*, good omen, godsend.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

undoing Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • prove: This will prove the undoing of the would-be white heir.

Converse of subject

  • remove: The fuse carriers are removed by undoing the small screw.

Adjective modifier

  • own: A plum from one of these trees was my own undoing three years ago.

Modifies a noun

  • bolt: Most involve undoing bolts at the back of the washing machine and removing brackets and various packaging.

Noun used with modifier

  • self: Note how I leave out the fact that Saturn is posited in the house of self undoing.

Possessives

  • vivisection: Dr. James Le Fanu, ' In sickness and in health: vivisection's undoing ' , Daily Telegraph, 23 November 2003.
undoing usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

undoing quotes

Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans, born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined bya hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage, and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world. Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall payany price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty.

-Kennedy,John F(itzgerald)

undoing quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"undoing." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/undoing>

APA Style

undoing. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/undoing

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