grind (down)

verb

Definition of grind (down)next
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)
  1. overwhelm
  2. overcome
  3. devastate
Verb
  • That brightness will overwhelm many of the faint Delta Aquariid meteors, leaving only the brightest examples visible.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • This was often seen as a proxy for player skill, as more advanced players could better handle the cognitive rush of commanding dozens of units across multiple fronts, presumably leading to more effective play, eventually overwhelming the opponent.
    — Nnamdi Iregbulem, Fortune, 29 July 2026
Definition of overwhelm
Verb
  • The team overcame significant injuries to finish 12-5 last season and win a playoff game as Shanahan finished fifth in voting for NFL Coach of the Year.
    — Josh Dubow, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026
  • For example, while Messi may be today’s superstar, he was overcome by a coordinated system; so investing in the organization is critical.
    — Bhaskar Chakravorti, Fortune, 25 July 2026
Definition of overcome
Verb
  • Le Porge, a commune to the west of Bordeaux with 3,500 residents, has been devastated.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
  • Tasmanian devils suffer from Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD), a highly fatal cancer spread by biting, which has devastated their population and surprisingly arose twice.
    — John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of devastate
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.

Browse Nearby Words

grind
grind (down)
grinder
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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 30 Jul. 2026.

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