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 if Democratic politicians don’t learn from this election, their supermajority dominance in Sacramento could start eroding.

From Los Angeles Times

In just a few years since the Taliban retook control of the country, women's rights have been eroded to the point where even singing is banned.

From BBC

When a supervisor's own boss alternated between abusive and ethical leadership, the study found, it created additional uncertainty and eroded employees' confidence in the supervisor's capabilities.

From Science Daily

But a former Reid adviser, James Manley, said he believes Trump is consciously trying to erode that boundary, and he’s skeptical that Republican lawmakers have the stomach to stand up to him.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Scullion, who spends his days driving for the dial-a-lift service, said rural roads in Mid Ulster are "very tired" and "the edges have eroded away".

From BBC

Related Words

• corrode
• destroy