as in to overwhelm
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress
the workers are being ground down by the long work hours which leave them little time for anything else
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grind (down)
Verb
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And she was overwhelmed by the maze of paperwork needed simply to get her off the street, much less to make any of the other things happen.—
Kff Health News,
Oc Register,
14 Jan. 2026 -
Small mosaics, bold geometrics, and overused penny tiles can overwhelm a room.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Freshman Anthony Ali Nayab scored six of his nine points in the fourth quarter, including a pair of game-clinching free throws with 25 seconds to play, and Cathedral Catholic overcame an 11-point deficit and edged Mira Mesa 47-45 on Tuesday night in a key Western League game.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Jan. 2026
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The researchers do note that Veronika’s environment may have played a role in her skillful use of a tool to overcome limitations.—
Leslie Katz,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Mel Brooks said the murders of Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer would have devastated Carl Reiner, the director’s late father and Brooks’ longtime close friend and comedy partner.—
David Matthews,
Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2026
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Neighbors on the road were devastated to see the fire.—
Samantha Chaney,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Grind (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grind%20%28down%29. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
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