GRINDING (DOWN) Synonyms: 29 Similar Words

grinding (down)

verb

present participle of grind (down)

as in overwhelming

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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Recent Examples of Synonyms for grinding (down)

Verb

Nieuw Bergen presents an innovative and attractive approach to inner-city housing, demonstrating how housing developments can be introduced without overwhelming the character of an existing neighborhood.

— Bridget Borgobello July 04, New Atlas, 4 July 2026
The best caftans feel lightweight and roomy without overwhelming your frame.

— Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 2 July 2026

Definition of overwhelming

Verb

Rescue efforts were still underway nearly two weeks after devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela’s northern coast less than a minute apart on June 24, trapping hundreds beneath rubble.

— Pat Mueller, USA Today, 7 July 2026
The co-writer thing was a total disaster, devastating on every level.

— Daniela Avila, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

Definition of devastating

Verb

England had seen off Italy on the Tuesday, with Spain overcoming Germany on the Wednesday.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Exhibited for the first time outside of Sarajevo, the churning Socialist Realist homage invokes Eugène Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People in figuring partisans heroically overcoming their would-be Nazi aggressors.

— Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of overcoming

Verb

Atmospheres of sub-Neptunes are deep and dense, meaning crushing pressures close to the boundary between the atmosphere and the solid body of the world can turn minerals into vapor that forms clouds.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 13 July 2026
The outer aluminum shell gives way to an energy-crushing aluminum honeycomb.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026

Definition of crushing

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grinding

grinding (down)

grinding (out)

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“Grinding (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grinding%20%28down%29. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of grinding (down)

verb

Example Sentences

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