abrading
Grinding down gradually
Abrading is the present participle of abrade—to wear away or scrape a surface through friction.
Sandpaper abrades wood; rough shoes abrade skin.
The word applies to gradual erosion rather than sudden damage: Years of foot traffic had been abrading the marble steps.
Figuratively, constant criticism can be abrading to someone's confidence.
Abrasive-coated finishing material
- emeryGranular polishing mineral
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- corundumCrystalline aluminum oxide
- garnetRed semiprecious stone
pumice · carborundum · alumina · flint · diamond dust · sanding · grinding wheel · steel wool
Applying pressure while moving
- chafingIrritation from friction
- scrapingRubbing away material
- gratingCrossed bars or harsh
- raspingHarsh and grating
scratching · scuffing · fretting · grinding · contact · sliding · resistance · drag
Atmospheric breakdown of materials
- corrosionChemical wearing away
- wearing awayGradual loss through friction
- degradationDecline in condition
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
decay · disintegration · crumbling · undermining · scouring · chipping away · wasting · gnawing
Friction-based shine work
- polishingSmoothing by friction
- finishingBringing to completion
- levelingMaking flat or equal
- deburringRemoving machining imperfections
honing · lapping · burnishing · resurfacing · refinishing · rust removal · paint stripping · woodworking
sandpaper
Abrasive-coated finishing material
- emeryGranular polishing mineral
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- corundumCrystalline aluminum oxide
garnet · pumice · carborundum · alumina · flint · diamond dust · sanding · grinding wheel · steel wool · scouring pad
rubbing
Applying pressure while moving
rasping · scratching · scuffing · fretting · grinding · contact · sliding · resistance · drag · skin irritation
weathering
Atmospheric breakdown of materials
- corrosionChemical wearing away
- wearing awayGradual loss through friction
- degradationDecline in condition
deterioration · decay · disintegration · crumbling · undermining · scouring · chipping away · wasting · gnawing · eating away
buffing
Friction-based shine work
deburring · honing · lapping · burnishing · resurfacing · refinishing · rust removal · paint stripping · woodworking · shaping
- frictionfriction, rubbing, friction burn, rolling friction, drag
- deterioratingdecaying, decomposing, degrading, rotting, eroding
- Deteriorationdecay, rot, degradation, deterioration, corrosion
- bodily harmhurt, injure, wound, harm, injuries
- stone carvingpetroglyph, epigraphy, bas-relief, marble carving, stele
- surface finishingpolishing, buffing, sanding, grinding, varnishing
abradingsmoothing
Reducing irregularities systematically
polishing · buffing · burnishing · finishing · glossing
abradingcoating
Applied surface covering
plating · depositing · layering · building up · adding
abradingprotecting
Keeping from harm
preserving · shielding · sealing · coating · cushioning
abrasive, abrasion, abrade, abrasiveness, abrasively, abraded, nonabrasive, abrades, abraders