wear down

British  

verb

1. to consume or be consumed by long or constant wearing, rubbing, etc

2. to overcome or be overcome gradually by persistent effort

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wear down Idioms  

1. Diminish, weaken, or tire by relentless pressure, as in The heels of these shoes are quite worn down, or Her constant nagging about getting a new car wore down his resistance. [First half of 1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wear down

“Right now, Russia’s tactic is to wear down Ukraine and Ukrainians—first and foremost, our people,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

I think he will be impressive and wear down a really robust and physically tough Hrgovic.

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

Equipment would also wear down, break, and eventually need to be replaced.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 7, 2026

But today, as A.I. widgets ooze through every crack of our digital lives, our reflexive outrage at the overreach is starting to wear down.

From Slate ● Apr. 23, 2026

Lucky that she is forgiving and understanding, and that she knows how to wear down anyone’s defenses.

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila