wear down
Overcome through persistence
To wear down is to gradually reduce or weaken through persistent pressure or friction.
Physical objects wear down through use: The stairs were worn down by generations of footsteps.
People wear down through exhaustion or persistence: The negotiators finally wore down the opposition.
The phrase suggests slow erosion rather than sudden defeat—attrition over time.
Continuing despite difficulty
- attritionGradual reduction through loss
- pressureForce upon contact
- relentlessContinuing without pause
- gradualDeveloping slowly over time
steady · chipping away · outlast · outlive · overcome · prevail · endurance · tenacity
Gradual wearing away
- abrasionShallow surface wound
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- grindingMolar action sometimes
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
attrition · scouring · chafing · rubbing · corrosion · degradation · smoothing · polishing
Weariness from prolonged exertion
- tire outDeplete one's energy
- drainChannel for wastewater
- sapPlant circulatory fluid
- weakenReduce in strength
deplete · enervate · debilitate · burn out · overtax · strain · overwork · run ragged
Gradual organic breakdown
- degradeLower in standing
- crumbleFragment gradually
- disintegrateBreak into fragments
- declineDecrease or refuse
wither · atrophy · fray · thin · bald · threadbare · shabby · dilapidated
persistence
Continuing despite difficulty
- attritionGradual reduction through loss
- pressureForce upon contact
- relentlessContinuing without pause
gradual · steady · chipping away · outlast · outlive · overcome · prevail · endurance · tenacity · determination
erosion
Gradual wearing away
- abrasionShallow surface wound
- weatheringAtmospheric breakdown of materials
- grindingMolar action sometimes
friction · attrition · scouring · chafing · rubbing · corrosion · degradation · smoothing · polishing · sanding
fatigue
Weariness from prolonged exertion
weaken · deplete · enervate · debilitate · burn out · overtax · strain · overwork · run ragged · prostrate
decay
Gradual organic breakdown
- degradeLower in standing
- crumbleFragment gradually
- disintegrateBreak into fragments
decline · wither · atrophy · fray · thin · bald · threadbare · shabby · dilapidated · decrepit
- persuasion tacticscharm, butter up, flattery, flatter, coax
- undermineweaken, erode, sabotage, subvert, destabilize
- depletedeplete, drain, exhaust, use up, consume
- burdensburden, load, onus, obligations, weight
- persuasionpersuade, persuasion, persuasive, convince, convincing
- agitateagitate, stir, rouse, disturb, rile up
wear downbuild up
Grow by increments
strengthen · fortify · reinforce · bolster · restore
wear downsudden victory
Abrupt conclusive win
blitzkrieg · overwhelm · crush · knock out · vanquish
down, wear, worn, wearing, underwear, wear out, wears, footwear, unworn