eroding

Gradually being diminished

Eroding is the present participle of erode, describing the gradual wearing away of something.

Physically, wind and water erode rock and soil: The coastline is eroding at an alarming rate.

Figuratively, things erode when they diminish slowly over time: Public trust in institutions is eroding, eroding profit margins.

The word emphasizes process rather than result—something actively being worn down.

physical

wearing

Having clothing on

weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
abradingEroding by friction
grindingMolar action sometimes

scouring · rubbing · friction · attrition · scraping · undercutting · undermining · thinning · stripping · flaking

figurative

undermining

Weakening by covert means

weakeningBecoming less strong
diminishingBecoming progressively less
sappingGradually draining vitality

degrading · wearing away · chipping away · deteriorating · declining · waning · fading · dissolving · unraveling · destabilizing

decay

rusting

Metal oxidation process

oxidizingCombining with oxygen
decomposingOrganic matter breaking down
disintegratingBreaking down gradually

crumbling · rotting · degrading · moldering · pitting · tarnishing · deteriorating · breaking down · flaking · scaling

geological

weathering

Atmospheric breakdown of materials

sedimentParticles settling in liquid
riversFlowing bodies of water
glaciersSlow-moving ice masses

wind · rain · frost · landslide · rockfall · canyon · gully · coastline · cliffs · shoreline

Categories

decliningdeclining, waning, fading, diminishing, decreasing
deterioratingdecaying, decomposing, degrading, rotting, crumbling
reducingshrinking, lessening, diminishing, decreasing, cutting back
frictionfriction, rubbing, abrading, friction burn, rolling friction
breaking downsplitting, fragmenting, dividing, breaking up, partitioning
danger wordshazard, peril, threat, risk, danger zone

Opposites

physical material process

erodingbuilding up

Increasing gradually

depositing · accumulating · sedimenting · constructing · forming

structural integrity

erodingstrengthening

Increasing power or solidity

reinforcing · fortifying · stabilizing · preserving · fixing

abstract diminishment

erodingbuilding

Enclosed roofed structure

strengthening · bolstering · reinforcing · consolidating · solidifying

Family

erode, erosion, corrode, corrosive, corrosion, eroded, erosive, corroded, erodes

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