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.
Russia has been pounding Ukraine's critical infrastructure, hoping to wear down public resistance to the war while leaving many around the country having to endure the dead of winter without heat. Aamer Madhani and Susie Blann The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026 As for glam, McAdams’ chestnut hair was styled with cascading soft waves and worn down. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026 University of Miami basketball fans who stayed up for Wednesday’s late-night game against Stanford were treated to a thriller, as the Hurricanes wore down sensational freshman guard Ebuka Okorie and rallied late to beat the Cardinal 79-70 at the Watsco Center. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026 Russia has been pounding Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, hoping to wear down public resistance to the war while leaving many around the country having to endure the dead of winter without heat. Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 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 1 Feb. 2026.

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