ERODE Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

erode

verb

i-ˈrōd

Definition of erode

as in to eat

to consume or wear away gradually the fear that inflation will continue to erode people's savings

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to wear

to damage or diminish by continued friction the winds and desert sands have eroded much of the original surface of these ancient monuments

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 erode While mentions of high prices eroding personal finances declined from 56 percent in June to 50 percent in July, that’s likely simply because of the decline in gas prices, Hsu said. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 7 Aug. 2026 The more radical possibility, however, is that AI begins eroding them. — Harry Booth, Time, 7 Aug. 2026 That changed in 2013 when lowering the threshold to a simple majority intensified partisanship and eroded the standard of qualifications for nominees. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026 As the high pressure ridge erodes between Saturday and Sunday, winds will roar out of the north over coastal Northern California. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for erode

Recent Examples of Synonyms for erode

Verb

People ‘in the middle’ While many are flocking to take advantage of an $8 burger, Alicia Roten’s family is simply trying not to eat out at all.

— Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
If software ate the world by selling to it, AI may finish the job by buying it.

— Michael Wee, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of eat

Verb

Heavy rainfall continued to impact Lollapalooza on Saturday, as doors were delayed opening until 2pm, and guests were advised to wear waterproof shoes as Grant Park would be muddy.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 1 Aug. 2026
Satin and silk iterations, worn by stars like Anne Hathaway, are sophisticated while still maintaining the functionality of the trend.

— Tessa Petak, InStyle, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of wear

Verb

Cal Fire continues to battle the Gann Fire, which has burned more than 10,000 acres in Calaveras County and destroyed over a dozen structures.

— Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
At the same time, Bernadette makes her potion and turns into a 60-foot monster, destroying Pasadena.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of destroy

Verb

Skinner’s relationship with United had grown increasingly frayed.

— Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Other types of natural disasters could impact Florida’s elections as well, all while the forecasting capacity of the National Weather Service has frayed under federal staffing cuts.

— Jonathan Webber, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of fray

Verb

From that moment suspicion corrodes old loyalties, and the village’s Muslims are evacuated to a refugee camp for transport to Pakistan.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
The salt can harm fish and other wildlife, and corrode bridges and automobiles.

— Nathaniel Warner, The Conversation, 24 July 2026

Definition of corrode

Verb

For example, shifting the Fed’s portfolio toward short-term Treasury bills and away from long-term bonds or mortgage-back securities could reduce market price distortion and limit the government’s role in allocating capital across sectors.

— David Zhang, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
And China, with its massive oil inventory, has been drawing down its reserves and reduced its crude imports by more than 4 million barrels a day, according to JPMorgan.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

The Cubs offense quickly erased the 1-0 deficit behind four consecutive hitters reaching with two outs in the top of the second.

— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026
Reading scores of New York City public school students plummeted this past school year, erasing improvements in the subject recorded a year before, sparking calls from the teachers’ union for a change in approach.

— Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of erase

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ermines

erode

eroded

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“Erode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erode. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of erode

verb

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