as in erosion
a gradual weakening, loss, or destruction
took the machinery out of operation since attrition had led to the main mechanism's breaking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of attrition
The Texans will next face the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Sunday in a divisional round matchup that has potential to be a war of attrition.
—
Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 13 Jan. 2026
Commissioner Tim Tipton told House lawmakers during budget hearings Monday that the funding to hold more academy classes is necessary to in order to train and hire the number of troopers needed to adequately patrol the state amid retirements and other attrition.
—Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice, 13 Jan. 2026
Coach Kyle Shanahan's call for a trick-play pass from receiver Jauan Jennings to McCaffrey for a 29-yard touchdown to take the lead in the fourth quarter reflected this team's incredible resourcefulness during a season marked by attrition.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
There’s an element of attrition to the operations, DiMaria says.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for attrition
Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 13 Jan. 2026
Commissioner Tim Tipton told House lawmakers during budget hearings Monday that the funding to hold more academy classes is necessary to in order to train and hire the number of troopers needed to adequately patrol the state amid retirements and other attrition.
—Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice, 13 Jan. 2026
Coach Kyle Shanahan's call for a trick-play pass from receiver Jauan Jennings to McCaffrey for a 29-yard touchdown to take the lead in the fourth quarter reflected this team's incredible resourcefulness during a season marked by attrition.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
There’s an element of attrition to the operations, DiMaria says.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for attrition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attrition
erosion
Noun
-
This is why trust erosion feels sudden to leaders and slow to teams.—
Alain Hunkins,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
These could help shed light on what kind of erosion Mars experienced from water, Argadestya noted.—
Charles Q. Choi,
Space.com,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Attrition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attrition. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
