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
In his letter to Kroger executives, Gallego asserted that unions can be partners to help companies maintain a safe and healthy workplace and reduce worker attrition that can cause supply-chain disruptions.
—
Russ Wiles, AZCentral.com, 23 July 2025
Walker is also expected back from paternity leave on Friday, offering some support to a lineup that can ill afford any more attrition.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 10 July 2025
As the social-media ecosystem has become more fragmented and complex during the past several years, with new platforms continually emerging and decaying, there’s been some user attrition.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 9 July 2025
The group is so deep — and perhaps has sustained so much injured attrition over the past two years — that the earnest fan could probably name nine offensive lineman off the top of their head.
—Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for attrition
Russ Wiles, AZCentral.com, 23 July 2025
Walker is also expected back from paternity leave on Friday, offering some support to a lineup that can ill afford any more attrition.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 10 July 2025
As the social-media ecosystem has become more fragmented and complex during the past several years, with new platforms continually emerging and decaying, there’s been some user attrition.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 9 July 2025
The group is so deep — and perhaps has sustained so much injured attrition over the past two years — that the earnest fan could probably name nine offensive lineman off the top of their head.
—Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for attrition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attrition
erosion
Noun
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This has been primarily due to the wall’s waterspouts (installed during the British Raj), which caused a discharge of monsoon rainwater, resulting in deep erosion and damage.—
Sonya Rehman,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
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In cases of severe erosion and decay, crowns can help preserve teeth and maintain function for many years.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Attrition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attrition. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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