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.
By mid-afternoon Saturday, though, any angst among the beleaguered had worn down. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 2 Nov. 2025 This likely means the ochre wasn’t worn down and discarded, but intentionally fashioned into an artistic tool. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 Oct. 2025 Her classmates’ concern wore down her shield of privacy and silent shame, especially once the situation was impossible to hide. Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025 Over time, the fabric fibers wear down, leading to thinning, fraying, or small tears. Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Wear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wear%20down. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

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