as in wear
the result of long and hard use
my favorite jeans finally succumbed to wear and tear and had to be replaced
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 wear and tear
By promoting usage of public transportation, the county can greatly reduce the emissions produced by vehicles and reduce wear and tear on our roads (which our tax dollars are constantly used to repair).
—
Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
The leather-alternative material is durable enough to handle regular wear and tear, withstand scuffs and scratches, and resist water in case you get caught in a surprise rain storm.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 6 May 2026
The wear and tear of lengthy overtimes also hampered the Mammoth’s skaters.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 6 May 2026
In the new study, Alessandro Cellerino of the Biology Laboratory at the Superior Normal School (SNS) in Italy and his colleagues investigated whether the shark’s heart was somehow armored against the wear and tear that comes with age.
—Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for wear and tear
Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
The leather-alternative material is durable enough to handle regular wear and tear, withstand scuffs and scratches, and resist water in case you get caught in a surprise rain storm.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 6 May 2026
The wear and tear of lengthy overtimes also hampered the Mammoth’s skaters.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 6 May 2026
In the new study, Alessandro Cellerino of the Biology Laboratory at the Superior Normal School (SNS) in Italy and his colleagues investigated whether the shark’s heart was somehow armored against the wear and tear that comes with age.
—Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for wear and tear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wear and tear
wear
Noun
-
Experts claim the layer can begin degrading at temperatures above 158°F, potentially accelerating battery wear over time and increasing long-term safety concerns if such heat exposure becomes frequent.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
10 May 2026
-
Botanical collagen plumps and conditions lips with every wear, while passionfruit oil delivers a surge of moisture that keeps them soft throughout the day.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wear and tear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wear%20and%20tear. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
