as in to wear out
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Recent Examples of wear down
Putin is trying to ‘wear down’ the will of US, Europe and Ukraine.
—
FOXNews.com, 26 Nov. 2025
Most of them only went four to five yards per touch, but Barnes was able to wear down the Baylor defense.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Oct. 2025
Toronto can continue to wear down pitchers with relentless contact and create scoring opportunities with singles, but big swings matter.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Excess water can wear down the glue that holds the bristles and handle together.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wear down
FOXNews.com, 26 Nov. 2025
Most of them only went four to five yards per touch, but Barnes was able to wear down the Baylor defense.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Oct. 2025
Toronto can continue to wear down pitchers with relentless contact and create scoring opportunities with singles, but big swings matter.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Excess water can wear down the glue that holds the bristles and handle together.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wear down
Verb
-
It’s made from a lightweight polyester, rayon, and spandex blend that feels soft and supple like loungewear, but that’s appropriate to wear out of the house.—
Lauren Finney Harden,
InStyle,
10 Jan. 2026
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In orthopedics — new hips and new knees can do wonders when the original ones wear out.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Organic mulches like compost, straw, and shredded bark break down slowly for better soil structure over time.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
15 Jan. 2026
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But even biodegradable bags need the perfect conditions to break down.—
David Wade,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wear%20down. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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