wear and tear
noun
: the loss, injury, or stress to which something is subjected by or in the course of use
especially
: normal depreciation
Examples of wear and tear in a Sentence
my favorite jeans finally succumbed to wear and tear and had to be replaced
Recent Examples on the Web
The pad acts as a base for the carpet and reduces the amount of friction on the underside of rugs, preventing the possibility of wear and tear.
—
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Furniture For household furniture with stains, smells, pet hair, damage, and wear and tear, the trash is likely your best bet.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026
However, the salt can cause wear and tear on the fibers.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 8 Jan. 2026
Repairs from normal wear and tear don’t count.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wear and tear
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Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Furniture For household furniture with stains, smells, pet hair, damage, and wear and tear, the trash is likely your best bet.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026
However, the salt can cause wear and tear on the fibers.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 8 Jan. 2026
Repairs from normal wear and tear don’t count.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wear and tear
Cite this Entry
“Wear and tear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wear%20and%20tear. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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