as in erosion
a gradual weakening, loss, or destruction
took the machinery out of operation since attrition had led to the main mechanism's breaking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of attrition
With dozens of players competing for roster and practice-squad spots, the preseason can serve as a sink-or-swim exercise in NFL attrition.
—
Charlotte Observer, 9 Aug. 2025
That engagement can lead to less club member attrition.
—John Kell, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2025
Holmes tenure has been punctuated by chaos, high attrition within the probation officer ranks and high turnover in the upper levels of the agency.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 31 July 2025
By May, 26,000 of those employees had left or will soon leave, reducing the agency’s workforce to 77,000—an attrition that will take place over just seven months (IRS data table).
—Mike Sylvester, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for attrition
Charlotte Observer, 9 Aug. 2025
That engagement can lead to less club member attrition.
—John Kell, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2025
Holmes tenure has been punctuated by chaos, high attrition within the probation officer ranks and high turnover in the upper levels of the agency.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 31 July 2025
By May, 26,000 of those employees had left or will soon leave, reducing the agency’s workforce to 77,000—an attrition that will take place over just seven months (IRS data table).
—Mike Sylvester, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for attrition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attrition
erosion
Noun
-
The consequences can be severe: regulatory violations, data leakage, brand erosion and even systemic model failures.—
Abhi Sharma,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Earnings per share growth has plummeted, with further erosion projected due to elevated costs and discounting pressures.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Attrition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attrition. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share