wears down
Slowly breaks resistance
To wear down is to gradually diminish through persistent pressure or friction.
Physically, water wears down rock over millennia; shoes wear down with use.
More often the phrase describes psychological erosion—persistence breaking resistance: Her constant nagging finally wore him down.
The imagery is of slow, steady attrition rather than sudden defeat.
- chips awayGradually wears down
- weakeningBecoming less strong
- eats awayGradually wears down
- exhaustionState of utter depletion
- running raggedExhausting through overwork
slow erosion · abrasion · attrition · aging · weathering · undermining · acquiescing · giving in · corrosion · crumbling · surrendering · demoralization · capitulating · grinding · deterioration · softening · weariness · fading
- erodeserodes, corrodes, abrades, eats away, chips away
wears downbuilds up
Accumulates gradually
strengthens · reinforces · fortifies · accumulates · bolsters
wears downemboldens
Makes brave enough to act
steels · hardens · galvanizes · encourages · inspires
wears downreplenishes
Fills again after depletion
restores · refreshes · rejuvenates · revitalizes · renews
wear, wears, worn, wearing, wearer, wearers, wearable, unwearable, outerwear