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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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grinding (down)
Verb
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Tennis courts, a dedicated pickleball court, fitness center, swimming pool, whirlpool tub, private garage parking and a residents-only clubhouse keep the lifestyle fully supported without overwhelming the setting.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026 -
Overall on Wednesday, the Giants’ defense was dominant, with Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Dennard Wilson’s secondary blitzes, Arvell Reese and Jevon Holland and others overwhelming Jaxson Dart’s offense.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The British government refused to subsidize food prices or restrict exports of Irish agricultural goods, further devastating the island.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
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The carp have already shifted Mississippi River ecosystems by crowding out native fish, devastating some areas.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
31 May 2026
Verb
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The barriers our students face have changed over the years, but our commitment to overcoming them remains the same as always.—
Albert D. Mosley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 June 2026
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Rather than scaling software, their approach focuses on overcoming physical bottlenecks—verified by the laws of physics—to build the foundational architecture for the broader space economy.—
Alexandra Vidyuk,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Housing is too expensive, gas is at $5 a gallon, and student debt is crushing an entire generation of young people.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2026
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The first day of what is expected to be the biggest World Cup in women’s cricket history saw the spotlight shift away from Ben Stokes and a West End nightclub to a West End musical and a crushing victory for an England side aiming for this to be their Lionesses or Red Roses moment.—
Paul Newman,
New York Times,
13 June 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Grinding (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grinding%20%28down%29. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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