as in wear
the result of long and hard use
my favorite jeans finally succumbed to wear and tear and had to be replaced
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Recent Examples of wear and tear
These are also machine washable, meaning despite coffee spills and the general wear and tear of a fitful sleeper, these can be properly cleaned in the wash.
—
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 11 Mar. 2026
Botts worked on a project to develop a new reflective paint for lane markers to withstand the wear and tear of the road, Transport Topics said.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 11 Mar. 2026
High volumes of snowfall, salt, and use of tire chains all contribute to wear and tear on city roads, officials said.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2026
Whereas chronological age measures how much time has passed since birth, biological age reflects wear and tear on the body at a cellular level.
—Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wear and tear
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 11 Mar. 2026
Botts worked on a project to develop a new reflective paint for lane markers to withstand the wear and tear of the road, Transport Topics said.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 11 Mar. 2026
High volumes of snowfall, salt, and use of tire chains all contribute to wear and tear on city roads, officials said.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2026
Whereas chronological age measures how much time has passed since birth, biological age reflects wear and tear on the body at a cellular level.
—Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wear and tear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wear and tear
wear
Noun
-
In Barnes’ case, the boots aren’t just for weekend wear or a short drag routine but need to endure eight shows a week of energetic song and dance performances.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2026
-
These wide-leg trousers look equally polished at dinner or while exploring museums, but feel comfortable enough for all-day wear.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wear and tear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wear%20and%20tear. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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