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
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Recent Examples of attrition
In prosecuting his war of attrition in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin has made confrontation with the West the organizing principle of his foreign policy.
—
Hanna Notte, The Atlantic, 18 June 2025
In March, the Trump administration fired more than 300 people from the Federal Student Aid office, and the department’s Office of Inspector General, which investigates fraud, has lost more than 20% of its staff through attrition and retirements since October.
—Sharon Lurye, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025
This data can help nonprofits identify patterns and understand what is causing increased attrition among volunteers.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
The question has hounded the Houston Astros across an 81-game stretch defined by attrition, yet still defying expectations.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for attrition
Hanna Notte, The Atlantic, 18 June 2025
In March, the Trump administration fired more than 300 people from the Federal Student Aid office, and the department’s Office of Inspector General, which investigates fraud, has lost more than 20% of its staff through attrition and retirements since October.
—Sharon Lurye, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025
This data can help nonprofits identify patterns and understand what is causing increased attrition among volunteers.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
The question has hounded the Houston Astros across an 81-game stretch defined by attrition, yet still defying expectations.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for attrition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attrition
erosion
Noun
-
This has been primarily due to the wall’s waterspouts (installed during the British Raj), which caused a discharge of monsoon rainwater, resulting in deep erosion and damage.—
Sonya Rehman,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
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In cases of severe erosion and decay, crowns can help preserve teeth and maintain function for many years.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Attrition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attrition. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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