attrition
a reduction or decrease in numbers, size, or strength: Our club has had a high rate of attrition because so many members have moved away.
a wearing down or weakening of resistance, especially as a result of continuous pressure or harassment: The enemy surrounded the town and conducted a war of attrition.
a gradual reduction in workforce without firing or layoff of personnel, as when workers resign or retire and are not replaced.
the act of rubbing against something; friction.
a wearing down or away by friction; abrasion.
Theology. imperfect contrition.: See under contrition (def. 2).
Origin of attrition
1Other words from attrition
- at·tri·tion·al, adjective
- at·tri·tive [uh-trahy-tiv], /əˈtraɪ tɪv/, adjective
- in·ter·at·tri·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use attrition in a sentence
Other pro sports leagues have concluded in bubbles to control some of the unknowns, to make sure their championships aren’t influenced by coronavirus attrition.
The coronavirus has turned the NFL into a joke, and nobody should be laughing | Jerry Brewer | November 30, 2020 | Washington PostSun Country announced last month that it was cutting a little more than 100 jobs, or about 7 percent of its workforce, largely through attrition and hiring freezes.
Treasury emergency aid loan goes to airline backed by Amazon and Apollo, showing government’s long reach | Yeganeh Torbati | November 10, 2020 | Washington PostThere’s largely been a fast-forwarding of the natural attrition of the city.
“We expect to reduce the size of our workforce through a combination of attrition, the elimination of open roles, and job displacements,” a Wells Fargo spokesperson told Bloomberg.
Wells Fargo cuts jobs as the pandemic and penalties for past scandals take their toll | reymashayekhi | August 21, 2020 | FortuneThe reasons for this could be many, including attrition, desertion, and disease.
History of the Crusades: Origins, Politics, and Crusaders | Dattatreya Mandal | March 23, 2020 | Realm of History
This was a long, gutsy, attritional game played by two flawed teams who failed to force enough shots on goal.
Argentina Drops the Netherlands on Penalties in World Cup Semifinal | Tunku Varadarajan | July 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe hard, attritional fight comes in holding the ground often relatively cheaply taken.
British Dictionary definitions for attrition
/ (əˈtrɪʃən) /
the act of wearing away or the state of being worn away, as by friction
constant wearing down to weaken or destroy (often in the phrase war of attrition)
Also called: natural wastage a decrease in the size of the workforce of an organization achieved by not replacing employees who retire or resign
geography the grinding down of rock particles by friction during transportation by water, wind, or ice: Compare abrasion (def. 3), corrasion
theol sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation, esp as contrasted with contrition, which arises purely from love of God
Origin of attrition
1Derived forms of attrition
- attritional, adjective
- attritive (əˈtraɪtɪv), adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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