wear down

verb

wore down; worn down; wearing down; wears down
Synonyms of wear downnext

transitive verb

: to weary and overcome by persistent resistance or pressure

Examples of wear down in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The 2025 team wore down pitchers through its quantity of at-bats, not the length of them. — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 25 June 2026 Needless to say there was no second date, and, eventually though painfully, my own arrogance had some of its rough edges worn down. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 26 June 2026 Whether worn down or inspired, the organizers eventually let Power in. — Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 23 June 2026 As more people describe feeling worn down by the endless small obligations of daily life, the idea of clearing them out together, in one room, with a glass of wine, is catching on fast. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for wear down

Word History

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wear down was in 1774

Rhymes for wear down

See All Rhymes for wear down

Browse Nearby Words

wear away
wear down
wearer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wear down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wear%20down. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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