attrition
Wearing down slowly
Attrition is gradual reduction through sustained pressure or loss.
In warfare, a war of attrition wears down the enemy through continuous losses rather than decisive victory.
In business, attrition refers to workforce reduction through resignation or retirement rather than layoffs: We'll reduce headcount through natural attrition.
The word implies slow erosion—of numbers, strength, or resolve—rather than sudden elimination.
Having clothing on
- abrasionShallow surface wound
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- grindingMolar action sometimes
- rubbingApplying pressure while moving
weathering · degradation · deterioration · corrosion · scouring · chafing · material loss · mechanical
Sales volume or attrition
- resignationVoluntary relinquishment of position
- retentionContinued holding or possession
- layoffsMass job eliminations
- downsizingReducing workforce or scale
staffing · departure · vacancy · hiring · recruitment · churn · headcount · workforce reduction
Become or make smaller
- reductionMaking something smaller
- diminishmentProcess of becoming smaller
- shrinkageDecrease in size
- depletionReduction of supply
dwindling · waning · thinning · lessening · ebbing · fading · weakening · tapering
Encirclement forcing surrender
- blockadeSealing off a place
- starvationExtreme nutritional deprivation
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- prolongedMade to last longer
wearing down · exhaustion · depletion · casualties · grinding · sustained · campaign · outlast
Self-mortification for wrongdoing
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- penitenceRemorse for misdeeds
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- sorrowDeep emotional distress
repentance · confession · guilt · absolution · self-mortification · regret
wearing
Having clothing on
- abrasionShallow surface wound
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- grindingMolar action sometimes
rubbing · weathering · degradation · deterioration · corrosion · scouring · chafing · material loss · mechanical · physical
turnover
Sales volume or attrition
- resignationVoluntary relinquishment of position
- retentionContinued holding or possession
- layoffsMass job eliminations
downsizing · staffing · departure · vacancy · hiring · recruitment · churn · headcount · workforce reduction · redundancy
decrease
Become or make smaller
- reductionMaking something smaller
- diminishmentProcess of becoming smaller
- shrinkageDecrease in size
depletion · dwindling · waning · thinning · lessening · ebbing · fading · weakening · tapering · contraction
siege
Encirclement forcing surrender
- blockadeSealing off a place
- starvationExtreme nutritional deprivation
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
prolonged · wearing down · exhaustion · depletion · casualties · grinding · sustained · campaign · outlast · bombardment
penance
Self-mortification for wrongdoing
sorrow · repentance · confession · guilt · absolution · self-mortification · regret
- workjob, 9 to 5, jobs, labor, employee
- workplacehours, cubicle, desk job, holiday party, desk
- strategystrategy, grand strategy, tactics, tactic, tactical
- warfarebattle, combat, attack, war, armed conflict
- wartimerationing, war economy, war bonds, war effort, evacuations
- workforceworkers, employee, employees, labor force, employer
attritionaccretion
Growth through external addition
accumulation · buildup · growth · gain · accrual
attritionhiring
Giving someone work
recruitment · retention · onboarding · staffing up · talent acquisition
attritionreinforcement
Adding support or encouragement
buildup · strengthening · replenishment · resupply · fortification
- war of attritionProlonged conflict draining both sides
- attrition warfareDepleting enemy resources systematically
- attrition rateDeparture percentage over time