wear and tear

noun

: 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

• wear

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

So the team put it to the test, mimicking real-world treatment and wear and tear. —New Atlas, 27 Jan. 2026

At the old museum, patrons were encouraged to try on a selection of costumes, but Faulk says wear and tear on them was beginning to be a problem. —Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 27 Jan. 2026

Gladstone says anti-inflammatory and plasma injections can bring pain relief and can at times avoid surgery, but arthritis and wear and tear on the knee continue to be concerns. —Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026

This practice distributes the wear and tear evenly, so no single pillow gets overly compressed or worn out too quickly. —Anyssa Roberts, The Spruce, 26 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for wear and tear

• aftercare
• anywhere
• billionaire
• chinaware
• debonair
• dinnerware
• disrepair
• doctrinaire
• earthenware
• everywhere
• frigidaire
• kitchenware

Kids Definition

wear and tear

noun

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