wear down

verb

wore down; worn down; wearing down; wears down
Synonyms of wear downnext

transitive verb

: to weary and overcome by persistent resistance or pressure

Examples of wear down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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However, one observer believed McCaffrey was wearing down by the end of the season. Jeff Howe, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026 Tech’s defense only allowed six first-half points to the Ducks, but that group was eventually worn down because of an offense that barely eclipsed 200 yards, and finished 6-of-19 on third and fourth downs. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Jan. 2026 But any defense is worn down by poor field position and the burden of 81 snaps. Kevin Sherrington jan. 1, Dallas Morning News, 1 Jan. 2026 Beyond being unsightly, mold can also wear down grout over time and contribute to poor indoor air quality if left untreated. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wear down

Word History

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wear down was in 1774

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Cite this Entry

“Wear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wear%20down. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.

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