ATTRITION Synonyms: 12 Similar and Opposite Words

attrition

noun

ə-ˈtri-shən

Definition of attrition

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 While the also-struggling Aston Martin managed to take a point in Monaco to take a 1-0 lead over Cadillac, gaining two points from a strong weekend or simply by staying on track in a race of attrition is not outlandish. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026 The hope is employee attrition and improved state funding would eliminate the need to make many of the cuts. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026 What looks like flexibility on paper is likely to become attrition in practice. — Katrine Wallace, STAT, 11 Aug. 2026 There will be hundreds of fewer employees due to layoffs and attrition. — Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for attrition

Recent Examples of Synonyms for attrition

erosion

Noun

The researchers argue that the enormous cliff system triggered prolonged erosion that stripped away vast amounts of rock and helped expose some of North America’s oldest geological formations.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
The project aims to clear sediment and decaying matter from the bottom of the lake, improve water quality and habitat conditions, reduce erosion and add recreational features and native plants, said city officials.

— Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of erosion

Browse Nearby Words

attributions

attrition

attritions

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Attrition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attrition. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of attrition

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

expeditious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes