ERODE Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

erode

verb

i-ˈrōd

Definition of erode

as in to eat

to consume or wear away gradually the fear that inflation will continue to erode people's savings

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to wear

to damage or diminish by continued friction the winds and desert sands have eroded much of the original surface of these ancient monuments

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 erode Towering waves generated by intense Pacific storm systems, their heights amplified by El Niño, could erode parts of the fragile coastline and shut down crucial coastal transportation arteries. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026 The vision ultimately describes a county where growth enhances rather than erodes the characteristics that make Placer distinct. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026 Both Russia and Ukraine are trying through long-range strikes to inflict economic pain, disrupt military supplies and erode public morale. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026 Coups were short-term fixes that gradually eroded the legitimacy of the establishment. — Duncan McCargo, Foreign Affairs, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for erode

Recent Examples of Synonyms for erode

Verb

An 8-year-old has died after contracting a rare brain-eating amoeba believed to have been encountered while swimming in a lake near her home, her family and health officials said.

— Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
The best accessories to oyster eating are those that amplify the bivalve’s puckery, oceanic qualities rather than counterbalancing them.

— Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of eat

Verb

The Buc-ee’s beaver logo features the face of a beaver with prominent buck teeth wearing a red ball cap against a yellow backdrop.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
That same day, hundreds of women gathered outside the courthouse where Clancy is standing trial, wearing bright pink, in an attempt to raise awareness around maternal mental health.

— Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of wear

Verb

Almost 50 homes and other structures have been destroyed so far; there have been several injuries, and one of Tibbetts’s neighbors lost 20 German shepherds.

— Anya Kamenetz, Curbed, 28 Aug. 2026
The flood then destroyed roads and knocked out power and phone networks, leaving families unable to establish even the most basic facts.

— Laura Saravia, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of destroy

Verb

Proponents say such a system can reduce response time in the face of gun violence or a medical emergency.

— Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Rather than having dog kennels lined up across from each other like in traditional shelters, the New Leash on Life design will have kennels on one side facing a hallway to reduce barking and stress.

— Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

For someone with a flexible foot or a narrow forefoot where the toes tend to crowd each other, separating the big toe from the second toe can reduce rubbing and irritation.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026
The tacos feature za’atar rubbed swordfish kissed by a wood-burning grill, dabbed with tangy pools of labne and a salsa arabe, similar to harissa.

— The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of rub

Verb

But Bama followed with a 38-3 quarterfinal flop to Indiana, erasing any momentum and placing DeBoer squarely under the microscope entering a pivotal third season.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
The 68-year-old also lost her husband and her son, who worked at a local hydropower plant, in the flash floods that hit the region on Wednesday, erasing entire communities.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of erase

Browse Nearby Words

ermines

erode

eroded

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“Erode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erode. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of erode

verb

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