as in to wear out
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Recent Examples of wear down
The drill was part of an intensifying military pressure campaign to intimidate the Taiwanese leadership, demoralize the population, and wear down the island’s resistance to unification with the mainland.
—
Andy Browne, semafor.com, 15 Jan. 2026
The coating of the sheets may wear down over time, especially with harsh scrubbing.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 14 Jan. 2026
Since cast iron and carbon steel rely on polymerized oils to form a nonstick, protective barrier on the pan, simmering liquids (especially acidic ones) can wear down the seasoning layer to the raw metal underneath.
—Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Dec. 2025
Cronin highlighted the fact that in his team-high 38 minutes, Dent did a lot to wear down Ducks defenders – whether or not his shots were falling, as fickle as shots can be.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wear down
Andy Browne, semafor.com, 15 Jan. 2026
The coating of the sheets may wear down over time, especially with harsh scrubbing.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 14 Jan. 2026
Since cast iron and carbon steel rely on polymerized oils to form a nonstick, protective barrier on the pan, simmering liquids (especially acidic ones) can wear down the seasoning layer to the raw metal underneath.
—Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Dec. 2025
Cronin highlighted the fact that in his team-high 38 minutes, Dent did a lot to wear down Ducks defenders – whether or not his shots were falling, as fickle as shots can be.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wear down
Verb
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Towels and bathmats that are old, worn out, or very basic can drag down the overall aesthetic of a bathroom.—
Nomita Vaish-Taylor,
The Spruce,
31 Jan. 2026
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User @briadeshaun took a more relatable route and impersonated an out-of-shape owl, worn out from flying and repeatedly panting to catch its breath.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Moore broke down his 2026 budget proposal last year and laid out his legislative priorities, including generating new businesses and streams of income for the state.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
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As the UConn women’s basketball broke down its huddle before its game against Butler on Saturday, Sarah Strong had to fight the urge to run out on the court with the rest of the starting lineup.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wear%20down. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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