wear and tear

noun

Synonyms of wear and tearnext
: the loss, injury, or stress to which something is subjected by or in the course of use
especially : normal depreciation

Synonyms of wear and tear

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
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.
These can happen over time because of improper stacking during storage, by using harsh, metal scouring pads, or because of general wear and tear. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2025 Cast-iron pans really do give you a lot of bang for your buck—a $25 Victoria skillet can fry eggs, roast a chicken, sear steaks, and even get tossed into your outdoor pizza oven to roast vegetables without taking much wear and tear. Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Dec. 2025 Sojo Small Round Sunglasses Every wardrobe needs a reliable pair of everyday sunnies, and these round Sojo sunglasses are effortlessly cool and durable enough to handle light wear and tear. Leila Najafi, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 2025 Policies cover normal wear and tear, and can include things like prong retipping, broken or bent prongs, pearl restringing, and stone tightening. Liz Knueven, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wear and tear

Word History

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wear and tear was in 1666

Cite this Entry

“Wear and tear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wear%20and%20tear. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

wear and tear

noun
: the loss or damage that occurs to something in the course of normal use

More from Merriam-Webster on wear and tear

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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