Synonyms of attrition

attrition

noun

ə-ˈtri-shən 

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

• erosion
• corrosion
• decay
• waste
• decomposition
• disintegration
• undermining
• breakdown
• dissolution

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• increase
• buildup
• gain

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of attrition

In this strategy of attrition, Iran just needs to keep imposing costs and regenerating what is lost. — Nadia Schadlow, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2026

Some departments have reversed cuts and hired some workers and contractors back in certain roles to fill government needs while are also continuing plans to relocate staff out of Washington to regional hubs, which could also lead to attrition. — Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

The aircraft is being developed for the Pentagon’s Massed Modular Aircraft (MMA) program, which seeks a lower-cost and more attrition-tolerant aircraft for long-range intelligence and strike missions. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2026

Amid rising geopolitical tensions and a murky economic outlook, anxiety is clocking into work, producing false positives in productivity that look like engagement, but are actually a precursor to costly attrition and reputation loss. — Stacey Zolt Hara, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026