as in to wear out
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Recent Examples of wear down
The drill was part of an intensifying military pressure campaign to intimidate the Taiwanese leadership, demoralize the population, and wear down the island’s resistance to unification with the mainland.
—
Andy Browne, semafor.com, 15 Jan. 2026
The coating of the sheets may wear down over time, especially with harsh scrubbing.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 14 Jan. 2026
Since cast iron and carbon steel rely on polymerized oils to form a nonstick, protective barrier on the pan, simmering liquids (especially acidic ones) can wear down the seasoning layer to the raw metal underneath.
—Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Dec. 2025
Cronin highlighted the fact that in his team-high 38 minutes, Dent did a lot to wear down Ducks defenders – whether or not his shots were falling, as fickle as shots can be.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wear down
Andy Browne, semafor.com, 15 Jan. 2026
The coating of the sheets may wear down over time, especially with harsh scrubbing.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 14 Jan. 2026
Since cast iron and carbon steel rely on polymerized oils to form a nonstick, protective barrier on the pan, simmering liquids (especially acidic ones) can wear down the seasoning layer to the raw metal underneath.
—Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Dec. 2025
Cronin highlighted the fact that in his team-high 38 minutes, Dent did a lot to wear down Ducks defenders – whether or not his shots were falling, as fickle as shots can be.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wear down
Verb
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Towels and bathmats that are old, worn out, or very basic can drag down the overall aesthetic of a bathroom.—
Nomita Vaish-Taylor,
The Spruce,
31 Jan. 2026
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User @briadeshaun took a more relatable route and impersonated an out-of-shape owl, worn out from flying and repeatedly panting to catch its breath.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The type and amount of resistance training need to be challenging enough to break down muscle tissue, which stimulates it to rebuild.—
Nancy LeBrun,
Verywell Health,
4 Feb. 2026
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The best liquid collagens, such as Super Natural Goods Liquid Biotin & Collagen Drops, have been hydrolyzed, so they’re already broken down and easier for your body to use.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wear%20down. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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