corrode

Chemically wear down

To corrode is to gradually destroy or be destroyed by chemical action, especially oxidation.

Metal corrodes when exposed to moisture and air; acid corrodes stone.

The word extends to gradual deterioration of any kind: Resentment corroded their friendship.

What corrodes eats away slowly from within or without, leaving damage that accumulates over time.

chemical

rust

Iron oxide coating

oxidizeCombine with oxygen
tarnishOxidation discoloration on metal
etchIncise a surface

pit · degrade · react · acid · galvanic · cathodic · anodic · electrolysis · chloride · sulfide

decay

deteriorate

Grow worse over time

degradeLower in standing
rotOrganic breakdown process
disintegrateBreak into fragments

crumble · decompose · weaken · fester · wither · perish · break down · wear away · eat away · gnaw

figurative

undermine

Weaken by stealth

destroyCause complete ruin
weakenReduce in strength
damageHarm or impairment

poison · sour · embitter · consume · gnaw · fester · eat away · deteriorate · corrupt · debase

erosion

abrasion

Shallow surface wound

weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
wearCarry on person
frictionResistance between touching surfaces

scour · grind · scrape · pitting · flaking · scaling · spalling · perforation · thinning · degradation

material

metal

Hard conductive solid

ironElement twenty-six
steelCarbon-hardened iron alloy
copperReddish-brown metallic element

aluminum · zinc · bronze · brass · pipe · hull · rebar · infrastructure · bridge · tank

Categories

destruction verbsdestroy, demolish, wreck, ruin, smash
deterioratedecay, rot, deteriorate, decompose, crumble
discolorationdiscoloration, stain, stains, staining, spots
process verbscreate, produce, make, build, construct
undermineweaken, sabotage, subvert, destabilize, sap
lab verbsanalyze, boil, calibrate, centrifuge, condense

Opposites

material degradation vs. preservation

corrodepreserve

Protect from loss

restore · protect · conserve · fortify · renew

weakening vs. strengthening

corrodefortify

Make stronger against threat

strengthen · reinforce · build · build up · harden

gradual destructive action vs. gradual constructive action

corrodebuild

Create a structure

build up · accrete · deposit · accumulate · construct

Phrases

corrosion protectionPreventing chemical material degradation
corrosion resistantUnaffected by oxidative damage
galvanic corrosionElectrochemical damage between unlike metals
corrosive substancesChemicals that destroy materials
corrosive sublimateToxic mercury-based chemical compound
corrosion resistanceImmunity to chemical degradation

Family

corrosive, corrosion, corroded, corroding, corrodes, noncorrosive, anticorrosion, anticorrosive, uncorroded

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G