eroded
Gradually worn down
Eroded describes something that has been gradually worn away or diminished.
Water erodes rock; wind erodes soil.
The past participle works as an adjective for the result: eroded cliffs, eroded coastline.
Figuratively, trust, support, or rights can be eroded—weakened slowly over time: Public confidence in the institution has eroded.
Weakened by stealth
- weakenedMade less capable
- diminishedMade or became smaller
- degradedReduced in rank or quality
- compromisedMade vulnerable to harm
depleted · sapped · chipped away · worn down · gutted · hollowed · dissolved · faded
Shallow surface wound
- windblownDisplaced by gusts
- sandblastErode surface with particles
- scourClean by hard rubbing
- deflationSustained decrease in prices
fluvial · undercutting · rill · weathered · pitted · grooved · carved · sculpted
Unraveled at edges
- threadbareWorn until transparent
- tatteredRipped and worn out
- shabbyWorn and neglected
- fadedLost original color
aged · scratched · scuffed · abraded · weakened · ravaged · battered · damaged
Particles settling in liquid
- alluviumWater-deposited loose sediment
- canyonDeep river-cut gorge
- gullyChannel carved by flowing water
- ravineDeep, narrow valley
badlands · delta · silt · butte · mesa · plateau · riverbed · sandstone
Destroy through chemical action
- rustIron oxide coating
- deteriorateGrow worse over time
- degradeLower in standing
- crumbleFragment gradually
disintegrate · rot · oxidize · tarnish · pit · wear away · eat away · dissolve
Very old indeed
- gradualDeveloping slowly over time
- slowLacking in speed
- relentlessContinuing without pause
- centuriesHundred-year periods
millennia · ages · timeworn · weatherbeaten · antiquated · primordial · enduring · persistent
undermined
Weakened by stealth
- weakenedMade less capable
- diminishedMade or became smaller
- degradedReduced in rank or quality
compromised · depleted · sapped · chipped away · worn down · gutted · hollowed · dissolved · faded · crumbled
abrasion
Shallow surface wound
deflation · fluvial · undercutting · rill · weathered · pitted · grooved · carved · sculpted · water-worn
frayed
Unraveled at edges
- threadbareWorn until transparent
- tatteredRipped and worn out
- shabbyWorn and neglected
faded · aged · scratched · scuffed · abraded · weakened · ravaged · battered · damaged · degraded
sediment
Particles settling in liquid
- alluviumWater-deposited loose sediment
- canyonDeep river-cut gorge
- gullyChannel carved by flowing water
ravine · badlands · delta · silt · butte · mesa · plateau · riverbed · sandstone · strata
corrode
Destroy through chemical action
- rustIron oxide coating
- deteriorateGrow worse over time
- degradeLower in standing
crumble · disintegrate · rot · oxidize · tarnish · pit · wear away · eat away · dissolve · leach
ancient
Very old indeed
- gradualDeveloping slowly over time
- slowLacking in speed
- relentlessContinuing without pause
centuries · millennia · ages · timeworn · weatherbeaten · antiquated · primordial · enduring · persistent · inexorable
- worn downabraded, weathered, worn thin, wind worn, ground down
- damageddamaged, broken, wrecked, ruined, destroyed
- path conditionsmuddy, rocky, icy, slippery, wet
- terrain wordshilly, rocky, muddy, sandy, flat
- vulnerabilityvulnerability, vulnerable, defenselessness, defenseless, helplessness
- weatheredweathered, worn, battered, faded, windswept
erodedbuilt up
Increased through accumulation
accreted · deposited · uneroded · constructed · accumulated
erodedintact
Not damaged or altered
solid · preserved · whole · reinforced · undamaged
erodedstrengthened
Made more robust
bolstered · reinforced · consolidated · built up · shored up
- eroded soilEarth displaced by weathering
- eroded landGround worn by elements