wear away
phrasal verb
wore away; worn away; wearing away; wears away
: to gradually disappear or to cause (something) to gradually disappear or become thinner, smaller, etc., because of use
The paint on the sign had worn away.
Even a trickle of water will eventually wear rock away.
—often used as (be) worn awayThe table's finish was worn away.
Examples of wear away in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Over the years in the Straits of Mackinac, ships' anchors have struck the pipeline, sections have needed additional support, and protective coating has been damaged or worn away.
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Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Rainwater reacts with carbon dioxide in the air and becomes slightly acidic, wearing away at rock exposed on the Earth’s surface.
—Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
The halogen-free protection is permanent, meaning it can’t be washed off or worn away.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 11 Sep. 2025
Those sculptures were painted in bright colors that have since worn away.
—Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wear away
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Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Rainwater reacts with carbon dioxide in the air and becomes slightly acidic, wearing away at rock exposed on the Earth’s surface.
—Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
The halogen-free protection is permanent, meaning it can’t be washed off or worn away.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 11 Sep. 2025
Those sculptures were painted in bright colors that have since worn away.
—Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 3 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wear away
Cite this Entry
“Wear away.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wear%20away. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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