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
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.
Abrasive pads, steel wool, and even magic erasers can wear down the paint over time. Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026 And Ben Ahlers, who plays the adult Happy, comes with that actor’s famously warm smile and chirpy demeanor, slowly worn down here before your eyes, as the permissible frolics of youth turn into the stasis of one going nowhere. Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026 While patio umbrellas are durable, excessive force can wear down the fabric over time. Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 10 Apr. 2026 Trump has benefited from a public worn down by repetition. Stephanie A, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026 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 Apr. 2026.

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