grinding (down)

verb

present participle of grind (down)
as in overwhelming
to subject to incapacitating emotional or mental stress the workers are being ground down by the long work hours which leave them little time for anything else

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grinding (down)
  1. overwhelming
  2. devastating
  3. overcoming
  4. crushing
Verb
  • Nieuw Bergen presents an innovative and attractive approach to inner-city housing, demonstrating how housing developments can be introduced without overwhelming the character of an existing neighborhood.
    — Bridget Borgobello July 04, New Atlas, 4 July 2026
  • The best caftans feel lightweight and roomy without overwhelming your frame.
    — Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 2 July 2026
Definition of overwhelming
Verb
  • The co-writer thing was a total disaster, devastating on every level.
    — Daniela Avila, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
  • One week after devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela, relief efforts in South Florida continue at a steady pace.
    — Manuel Bojorquez, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Definition of devastating
Verb
  • Forward-looking firms are overcoming this by deploying advanced technical strategies.
    — Ali Hoss, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Normal matter can’t be stuffed into a space tiny and dense enough without overcoming a huge outward pressure.
    — Stephen DiKerby, The Conversation, 29 June 2026
Definition of overcoming
Verb
  • But apparently, not even a crushing soccer loss could compete with the power of American hospitality.
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
  • Australia reigned supreme in the T20 World Cup final with a crushing seven-wicket victory over England, completed with 17 balls to spare in front of a Lord’s crowd of 28,887, a record for women’s cricket.
    — Paul Newman, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of crushing
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.

Browse Nearby Words

grinding
grinding (down)
grinding (out)
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Cite this Entry

“Grinding (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grinding%20%28down%29. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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