Definition of attritionnext
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

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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 attrition Baker said, as far as the union can tell, there’s no system in place to account for attrition. — Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026 An endless war of attrition benefits only the makers of weapons and coffins. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 Weaker formations suffer heavier losses, creating a cycle of high attrition and constant replenishment. — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 For example, the study found that Black young people and other racially minoritized groups had worse attrition through the stages of care than their white peers. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for attrition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attrition
erosion
Noun
  • As a super El Niño intensifies in the Pacific Ocean, coastal beach erosion is devastating Southern California and beyond.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In the hundreds of millions of years since the initial impact, erosion has continued to carve this formation into its current, signature shape.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 22 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Attrition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attrition. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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