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
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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 Children, women, the elderly, and young men, all worn down by years of conflict, gathered in the streets. Literary Hub, 13 Nov. 2025 Tee My wardrobe relies on lightweight T-shirts for travel, lounging, and running errands, but the frequent use means these classic pieces tend to wear down quickly. Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025 The waterproofness has mostly given up, worn down by too many days in conditions they were actually designed for. Kevin Sintumuang, Outside, 11 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 19 Nov. 2025.

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