worn away
Slowly ground down
Worn away describes something that has been gradually eroded, diminished, or removed through persistent friction, use, or exposure over time.
The phrase emphasizes a slow process of deterioration rather than sudden damage: The inscription had been worn away by centuries of weather.
It applies equally to physical surfaces—stone steps worn away by countless footsteps—and to abstractions like patience or resolve that erode under sustained pressure.
- scrapedRubbed harshly against
- abradedWorn away by rubbing
- erodedGradually degraded by elements
- ground downWorn away gradually
- usedAlready been employed
chafe · corroded · attrition · weathered · water damage · crumbling · stone steps · deteriorated · breaking · thinning · decayed · grooved · wear · tired · rubbed · rough edges · sands of time · time
worn awayintact
Not damaged or altered
pristine · whole · undamaged · preserved · unblemished
worn awaybuilt up
Increased through accumulation
accumulated · deposited · accreted · reinforced · augmented
away, worn, wearing, worn out, wore, wearable, wear away, wear down, wearing away