1 undid | Definition of undid

undo

verb
un·​do | \ ˌən-ˈdü How to pronounce undo (audio) , ˈən-\
undid\ ˌən-​ˈdid How to pronounce undid (audio) , ˈən-​ \; undone\ ˌən-​ˈdÉ™n How to pronounce undone (audio) , ˈən-​ \; undoing\ ˌən-​ˈdü-​iÅ‹ How to pronounce undoing (audio) , ˈən-​ \

Definition of undo

transitive verb

1 : to open or loose by releasing a fastening
2 : to make of no effect or as if not done : make null : reverse
3a : to ruin the worldly means, reputation, or hopes of a politician undone by scandal
b : to disturb the composure of : upset she's come undone

intransitive verb

: to come open or apart

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Other Words from undo

undoer \ ˌən-​ˈdü-​É™r How to pronounce undoer (audio) , ˈən-​ \ noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for undo

Synonyms

demoralize, emasculate, paralyze, unman, unnerve, unstring

Antonyms

nerve

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Examples of undo in a Sentence

You can't undo the past. The damage cannot be undone. He was undone by greed.
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Recent Examples on the Web

There is a notion that Dawson was undone primarily by the team’s copious depth at cornerback. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "Some thoughts on changes in the Patriots’ roster composition," 1 Sep. 2019 Wilson's run and finish for his goal were excellent but once again the Cherries were undone by some defensive lapses which ultimately saw them ship yet more costly goals. SI.com, "Leicester 3-1 Bournemouth: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Foxes Ease to Impressive Win," 31 Aug. 2019 In presenting the city’s case against a ballot question on Tuesday, an attorney for St. Paul argued that the new system rolled out Oct. 1, 2018, was bound by a five-year contract with a group of private haulers and could not be undone by a vote. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, "State Supreme Court may rule this week on St. Paul’s trash ballot question," 20 Aug. 2019 Nonetheless emails show that Aval’s president, Luis Sarmiento, the son of Colombia’s wealthiest man, was aware of the issue and urged caution so that a winning bid would not be undone by a lawsuit. Washington Post, "World Bank unit implicated in Latin America graft scandal," 2 July 2019 Then-mayor Rahm Emanuel, who announced his decision not to seek reelection on the eve of Van Dyke’s trial, was effectively undone by the telltale dash-cam video of McDonald’s death, hidden from public view until the last possible legal minute. Michael Phillips, chicagotribune.com, "'16 Shots' documentary review: On Chicago's mean streets, who controls the narrative?," 3 June 2019 After all, every major conservative media outlet and political figure opposed Barack Obama’s diplomatic breakthrough, and most called for it to be undone at the first opportunity. Eric Levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Trumpism Is Having Its Best Week Ever," 10 May 2018 Not to be undone by their Spanish counterparts, Dortmund too have sought pay exceptional money to one of their teenagers. SI.com, "The 10 Highest Paid Teenagers in World Football," 21 Aug. 2019 Many of the lively profiles are also miniature tragedies: Too often, these leaders’ works were undone by their successors. Fortune, "America’s CEOs Seek a New Purpose for the Corporation," 19 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'undo.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of undo

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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More Definitions for undo

undo

verb

English Language Learners Definition of undo

: to open or release (something) : to unfasten or loosen (something)
: to change or stop the effect of (something)
formal : to cause the failure of (someone or something)

undo

verb
un·​do | \ ˌən-ˈdü How to pronounce undo (audio) \
undid\ -​ˈdid \; undone\ -​ˈdÉ™n \; undoing\ -​ˈdü-​iÅ‹ \; undoes\ -​ˈdÉ™z \

Kids Definition of undo

1 : untie sense 2, unfasten Can you undo this knot?
2 : to cancel the effect of : reverse The damage cannot be undone.
3 : to cause the ruin or failure of He was undone by greed.

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More from Merriam-Webster on undo

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with undo

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for undo

Spanish Central: Translation of undo

Nglish: Translation of undo for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of undo for Arabic Speakers