undo - Definition & Meaning | Lingo Dictionary

Third Person

undoes

Present Participle

undoing

Past Tense

undid

Past Participle

undone

to release or loosen something that is fastened or tied

transitive

She reached behind her back to undo the zipper of her dress.
In a hurry, he struggled to undo the knots of his shoelaces and quickly slipped off his shoes.
The tailor had to undo the stitches and make adjustments to the hem of the dress for a perfect fit.
To take a break, she decided to undo the buttons of her jacket and relax for a moment.
The mechanic needed to undo the bolts to access the engine and perform necessary repairs.

Synonyms:

to make null or cancel the effects of something

transitive

Realizing the mistake, he quickly tried to undo the accidental deletion of the important file from his computer.
The software allows users to undo their last edits, providing a safety net in case changes need to be reversed.
She had to undo the changes in the document.
The emergency brake can be used to quickly undo the acceleration and bring the vehicle to a stop.
After receiving negative feedback, the company worked hard to undo the damage to its reputation.

to remove or negate specific qualities or features

transitive

The harsh weather conditions began to undo the vibrant colors of the outdoor mural.
The use of strong chemicals can undo the natural oils in your hair.
Continuous exposure to sunlight can undo the original brilliance of fabrics.
His careless remarks threatened to undo the goodwill he had built with his colleagues.
The decision to cut funding for the arts threatened to undo the cultural richness that had been cultivated over decades.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

to open or reveal the content of a package

transitive

She carefully undid the carefully wrapped package to reveal the surprise gift inside.
To check the contents, he began to undo the layers of packaging that surrounded the fragile item.
The mystery box was securely taped, but with a pair of scissors, she easily undid the packaging to uncover its contents.
Upon receiving the delivery, the customer quickly undid the box to inspect the ordered items.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

to cause someone or something to get ruined or destroyed

transitive

The torrential rain threatened to undo the delicate sandcastle they had built on the beach.
The unexpected economic downturn had the potential to undo years of financial stability for the small business.
Reckless driving has the power to undo lives in a split second, causing irreversible harm.
A rumor started to circulate that could undo the reputation of the respected public figure.