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
The war has largely become one of attrition, and that is a battle the Ukrainians will lose given their disadvantages on the battlefield and in the defense industrial base.
—
Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 2 June 2025
Notably in the Idlib and Tripoli campaigns in 2020, and the Battle of Snake Island in 2022, the systematic destruction of Pantsirs in battles of attrition with Bayraktars contributed to major operational defeats for Russia or its allies.
—Sebastien Roblin, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
In recent weeks, the board has floated numerous cost-cutting suggestions, among them an attrition program for employees of county departments.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
But the attrition rate — and therefore, the satisfaction rate — could be alleviated if nurses entered the workforce with more intentional training and support.
—Shakira Henderson, Sun Sentinel, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for attrition
Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 2 June 2025
Notably in the Idlib and Tripoli campaigns in 2020, and the Battle of Snake Island in 2022, the systematic destruction of Pantsirs in battles of attrition with Bayraktars contributed to major operational defeats for Russia or its allies.
—Sebastien Roblin, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
In recent weeks, the board has floated numerous cost-cutting suggestions, among them an attrition program for employees of county departments.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
But the attrition rate — and therefore, the satisfaction rate — could be alleviated if nurses entered the workforce with more intentional training and support.
—Shakira Henderson, Sun Sentinel, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for attrition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attrition
erosion
Noun
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This pushes up the risks of flooding, landslides and soil erosion.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
7 June 2025
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While just above the conventional 0.05 threshold, this result suggests that the erosion of home-field advantage in Super Regionals may be more than anecdotal.—
Giovanni Malloy,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Attrition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attrition. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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