erode

[ ih-rohd ]

verb (used with object)

, e·rod·ed, e·rod·ing.

1. to eat into or away; destroy by slow consumption or disintegration:

   Battery acid had eroded the engine. Inflation erodes the value of our money.

   Synonyms: spoil, ravage, waste, corrode

   Antonyms: reinforce, strengthen

2. to form (a gully, butte, or the like) by erosion.

verb (used without object)

, e·rod·ed, e·rod·ing.

1. to become eroded.

erode

/ ɪˈrəʊd /

verb

1. to grind or wear down or away or become ground or worn down or away
2. to deteriorate or cause to deteriorate

   jealousy eroded the relationship

3. tr; usually passive pathol to remove (tissue) by ulceration

Derived Forms

• eˈrodible, adjective
• eˈrodent, adjectivenoun

Other Words From

• e·rodi·ble e·roda·ble e·ro·si·ble [ih-, roh, -z, uh, -b, uh, l, -s, uh, -], adjective
• e·rodi·bili·ty e·roda·bili·ty noun
• none·roded adjective
• none·roding adjective
• une·roda·ble adjective
• une·roded adjective
• une·rodi·ble adjective
• une·roding adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of erode¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from French ė́roder or directly from Latin ērōdere, equivalent to ē- “out of, from” + rōdere “to gnaw”; e- ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of erode¹

C17: from Latin ērōdere, from ex- ¹+ rōdere to gnaw

Example Sentences

But when it comes to delivering the policies people want, it largely fails, further eroding the public's faith in democracy.

From Salon

The delay is needed to fix an issue with the capsule's heat shield, which returned from the previous test flight excessively charred and eroded, with cracks and some fragments broken off.

From BBC

These apps rely on underpaid gig workers while charging restaurants steep fees that erode already-slim margins.

From Salon

In Botswana, Mauritius and Senegal, growing citizen concern about corruption and the abuse of power eroded government credibility.

From BBC

Lead is neurotoxic and can erode brain cells and alter brain function after it enters the body.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• corrode
• destroy