wear down

verb

Definition of wear downnext
as in to wear out

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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 down Anything below 20,000 double rubs may wear down faster and is better suited to a bouclé loveseat, accent chair or other low-traffic piece of bouclé furniture. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026 The sugar and acid in some juices (such as orange juice) may wear down tooth enamel over time. — Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 16 July 2026 Get regular brake, tire and filter inspections Brakes, tires and filter frequently wear down and need to be replaced. — Keith Laing, USA Today, 8 July 2026 The one detail still more closely guarded than the guest arrivals is what Swift will wear down the aisle. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for wear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wear down
  1. wear out
  2. break down
Verb
  • Additionally, vibratory tumblers tend to wear out more quickly and cost more than rotary tumblers.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Even if many tread territory already worn out by Comedy Central in the mid-2000s, the sheer density ensures that some of them are bound to hit.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of wear out
Verb
  • Here Phillips breaks down some of the key looks from both films and her experience working with Wilde.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Fuse is breaking down big challenges in fusion energy into small, solvable objectives and has managed to build the world’s first IMG pulser within a span of three years and within the budget.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of break down

Browse Nearby Words

wear (away)
wear down
wearied
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Cite this Entry

“Wear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wear%20down. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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