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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
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.
Overall, the transit agency found that the Bay Area’s 44,000 miles of local roads are wearing down, with the typical stretch of roadway likely needing repairs soon. Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 26 Nov. 2025 Putin is trying to ‘wear down’ the will of US, Europe and Ukraine. FOXNews.com, 26 Nov. 2025 His drug addiction harmed him for decades, with constant advances and setbacks, with relapses that wore down his health. Esteban Campanela, CNN Money, 25 Nov. 2025 Jalen Hurts continues to be a dual-threat, utilizing his legs and arms to keep drives alive, while Saquon Barkley provides a physical rushing presence that wears down defenses and protects the football. Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wear%20down. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.

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