wear down

verb

Definition of wear downnext
as in to wear out

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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 wear down Days upon days of such exposure—whether world news, industry warnings, or team and personal setbacks—can wear down well-being and performance until work starts to feel pointless. — Harvard Business Review, 22 Sep. 2026 The formation helped the Jets control possession and wear down Tennessee’s defense. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 20 Sep. 2026 Avoid abrasive tools like steel wool or rough scrubbers, which can scratch surfaces and wear down markings. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 17 Sep. 2026 Vitally, Sanheim didn’t wear down late last season despite playing in the Olympics, after that was an issue previously. — Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wear down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wear down
  1. wear out
  2. break down
Verb
  • Six years later, the Maine electorate is worn out by Trump, but polls still show the race as a tossup.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Standard asphalt shingles across whole neighborhoods built in the same era wear out at roughly the same pace, and a wave of replacement decisions is now landing on owners who haven’t given their roof a second thought since closing day.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of wear out
Verb
  • When Charles breaks down inside the brothel, how much of it was about Adam versus Cathy?
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The fighting represents the sharpest escalation since a 2022 ceasefire between the Houthis, Yemen’s government and Saudi Arabia broke down in July.
    — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of break down

Browse Nearby Words

wear (away)
wear down
wearied
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Cite this Entry

“Wear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wear%20down. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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