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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of attrition
Roughly 40 to 50 staff positions will be eliminated through attrition, Mendoza said.
—
Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025
The Brew Crew have won only seven while losing 10 since the streak ended, and their rapid bullpen attrition will only make their ability to hold off the Cubs over the final month of the season more difficult.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
The video offers a rosy view of the situation on the ground in a theatre that has become notorious for human wave attacks and horrific attrition rates on the Russian side.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025
Firms will lean first on attrition and process efficiencies rather than immediate mass layoffs, particularly in sectors where customer-facing roles drive revenue.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attrition
Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 4 Sep. 2025
The Brew Crew have won only seven while losing 10 since the streak ended, and their rapid bullpen attrition will only make their ability to hold off the Cubs over the final month of the season more difficult.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
The video offers a rosy view of the situation on the ground in a theatre that has become notorious for human wave attacks and horrific attrition rates on the Russian side.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025
Firms will lean first on attrition and process efficiencies rather than immediate mass layoffs, particularly in sectors where customer-facing roles drive revenue.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for attrition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attrition
erosion
Noun
-
The rise is coupled with major political shifts in the country following the election of President Bernardo Arévalo, who vowed to fight corruption, tackle inequality, and rectify the discrimination against Indigenous Peoples after years of democratic erosion and corruption.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The effect was enhanced by the erosion caused by a century of pollution on the sandstone, which was originally obtained from Montjuïc.—
D. T. Max,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Attrition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attrition. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share