wear down

verb

wore down; worn down; wearing down; wears down

transitive verb

: to weary and overcome by persistent resistance or pressure

Examples of wear down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Washers help to prevent the bolt from cutting into and wearing down the mud flap. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026

Jezzel also chose the brand’s Alexandra dress to wear down the aisle. — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026

This doesn’t cost the bull market the benefit of the doubt, but the wall of worry has worn down a good deal. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026

If the offensive line holds up, at least better than the year before, then the ground game should be able to win the time-of-possession battle, wear down opponents and open up the passing game. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for wear down

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown