corrodes
Slowly eats away
Corrodes is the third-person singular of corrode, meaning to wear away gradually through chemical action.
Rust corrodes metal; acid corrodes stone.
The word extends to anything that deteriorates through persistent attack: Resentment corrodes a marriage.
Cynicism corrodes public trust.
What corrodes is slowly destroyed from within or without.
Iron oxide coating
- ironElement twenty-six
- steelCarbon-hardened iron alloy
- ferricContaining trivalent iron
- tarnishOxidation discoloration on metal
patina · pitting · flaking · crust · perforation · galvanized · zinc · copper
Grow worse over time
- degradeLower in standing
- disintegrateBreak into fragments
- crumbleFragment gradually
- weakenReduce in strength
rot · decompose · erode · wear · fester · eat away · gnaw · dissolve
Weaken by stealth
- erodeDiminish through persistent friction
- weakenReduce in strength
- destroyCause complete ruin
- damageHarm or impairment
diminish · consume · eat away · gnaw · sap · poison · corrupt · degrade
Losing electrons chemically
- acidLow-pH chemical compound
- alkaliAcid-neutralizing ionic compound
- electrolyteConductive dissolved substance
- chlorideNegatively charged halogen atom
sulfate · galvanic · electrochemical · pH · redox · anode · cathode · reactivity
rust
Iron oxide coating
tarnish · patina · pitting · flaking · crust · perforation · galvanized · zinc · copper · bronze
deteriorate
Grow worse over time
- degradeLower in standing
- disintegrateBreak into fragments
- crumbleFragment gradually
weaken · rot · decompose · erode · wear · fester · eat away · gnaw · dissolve · break down
undermine
Weaken by stealth
damage · diminish · consume · eat away · gnaw · sap · poison · corrupt · degrade · deteriorate
oxidation
Losing electrons chemically
- acidLow-pH chemical compound
- alkaliAcid-neutralizing ionic compound
- electrolyteConductive dissolved substance
chloride · sulfate · galvanic · electrochemical · pH · redox · anode · cathode · reactivity · inhibitor
weathering
Atmospheric breakdown of materials
gradual · relentless · slow · steady · persistent · coastal · saltwater · wind · water · exposure
- erodeserodes, abrades, wears down, wears out, eats away
- goes badrots, spoils, molds, sours, curdles
- tarnishesblemishes, blots, corrupts, defames, denigrates
- transformationschange, changes, transform, transforms, transformation
corrodesfortifies
Strengthens against threat
strengthens · reinforces · builds · benefits · bolsters
corrodespolishes
Rubs until shiny
burnishes · buffs · restores · refurbishes · refinishes