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 Never use abrasive cleaning tools or abrasive detergents as that can wear down the PTFE coating on your grill mat. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 July 2026 Homes contain unpredictable people and objects that wear down or break. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026 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 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
  • Those membranes break down easily and demand immense amounts of electrical power to force the reaction through.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
  • These substances break down very slowly over time and remain in the environment, while scientific evidence increasingly raises concerns about their impact on human health.
    — Cleo Levin, Footwear News, 10 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 12 Aug. 2026.

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