erode

verb

i-ˈrōd How to pronounce erode (audio)
Definition of erodenext
1
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
2
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 Consolidating the functions that make a brand distinctive tends to erode the asset being acquired. — Gustaf Lundberg Toresson, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 Stocks fell under the pressure of rising oil prices, which raise costs for businesses and erode their customers’ ability to spend. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026 An effective Houthi blockade of Bab al-Mandeb would create a new front in the war with Iran, potentially requiring US military intervention that could then erode US ability to help ships out of the Strait of Hormuz. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026 Local officials now have new hope for thickening that eroded shoreline ahead of the 2027 beach season. — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for erode
Recent Examples of Synonyms for erode
  1. eat
  2. wear
  3. destroy
  4. fray
  5. corrode
  6. reduce
  7. rub
  8. erase
Verb
  • After facing a man-eating Cyclops (Bill Irwin) and an island full of armored giants known as the Laestrygonians, the Greeks land on Circe’s island on the hunt for food.
    — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 19 July 2026
  • What’s more thrilling than watching dinosaurs try to eat people alive on the big screen?
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 19 July 2026
Definition of eat
Verb
  • No video has surfaced depicting the moment of the shooting and none of the officers were wearing body cameras.
    — Josh Campbell, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
  • The fan festival outside the stadium was packed with fans wearing colors that didn’t represent England or France.
    — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 19 July 2026
Definition of wear
Verb
  • The planters themselves get chipped, scratched, dented and, in one out of every three cases so far, destroyed.
    — Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026
  • However, an unconfined plasma column could instantly destroy solid surfaces upon contact.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 23 July 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • Meanwhile, the goals of the war have frayed and multiplied, with the United States now putting out fires of its own making.
    — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 19 July 2026
  • This is true for the reasons outlined above (lack of safety features and fraying cords), but also because the bulbs get extremely hot.
    — Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 17 July 2026
Definition of fray
Verb
  • Whether such goals can be achieved, and whether failing to achieve them will corrode public support, is another matter.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • The acidity in bird droppings can corrode metal, stain wood, dull finishes, and etch paint if left too long.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 July 2026
Definition of corrode
Verb
  • The additional sleep provided by the bassinet also is believed to reduce burnout and postpartum depression in working moms and dads.
    — Roni Robbins, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
  • There is an endless debate about crime, its causes and how to reduce it.
    — Ronald J. Allen, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • Edward rubs his lamb with turmeric, Aleppo chile powder, salt and pepper.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
  • That certainly rubbed some players the wrong way, including McIlroy.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2026
Definition of rub
Verb
  • But profit for the period fell 44% as higher feed and shipping costs erased those gains.
    — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 24 July 2026
  • Intel — The chipmaker's stock erased earlier gains and dropped 4%.
    — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 24 July 2026
Definition of erase

Browse Nearby Words

ermines
erode
eroded
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Cite this Entry

“Erode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erode. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on erode

Nglish: Translation of erode for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about erode

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