as in erosion
a gradual weakening, loss, or destruction
took the machinery out of operation since attrition had led to the main mechanism's breaking
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Recent Examples of attrition
Three years into the war in Ukraine, Moscow’s strategy to pursue a war of attrition and wait for Western unity to crack appears to be vindicated.
—
Alexander Cooley, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2025
No team arguably has given Miami more angst and agony over the past two months than the Bulls, who have twice beaten the Heat with big comebacks and surpassed Miami in the standings despite attrition from trades and injuries.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025
Burnout and attrition: The COVID-19 pandemic worsened already high levels of stress, burnout and mental health strain for nurses.
—Kymberlee Montgomery, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Those comments look like a mutual recognition that a trade war of attrition is a loser for both countries.
—Bob Davis, Time, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attrition
Alexander Cooley, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2025
No team arguably has given Miami more angst and agony over the past two months than the Bulls, who have twice beaten the Heat with big comebacks and surpassed Miami in the standings despite attrition from trades and injuries.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025
Burnout and attrition: The COVID-19 pandemic worsened already high levels of stress, burnout and mental health strain for nurses.
—Kymberlee Montgomery, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Those comments look like a mutual recognition that a trade war of attrition is a loser for both countries.
—Bob Davis, Time, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attrition
Cite this Entry
“Attrition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attrition. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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