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

“If RFK has a significant influence on the next administration, that could further erode people's willingness to get up to date with recommended vaccines,” Dr. Jerome Adams, who served as Surgeon General during Trump's first administration, said at a public health conference in Minneapolis last week, as reported by The New York Times.

From Salon

Trump’s agenda is poised to further erode many of our rights, especially those of women, LGBTQ+ Americans and immigrants.

From Los Angeles Times

A number of ads focused on abortion, making the claim that California Republicans could, with the help of a GOP-held House, erode access to abortion nationwide.

From Los Angeles Times

“Attempts to deceive the public with false content about FBI threat assessments and activities aim to undermine our democratic process and erode trust in the electoral system.”

From Los Angeles Times

"Attempts to deceive the public with false content about FBI threat assessments and activities aim to undermine our democratic process and erode trust in the electoral system," the FBI said in a statement.

From Salon

Related Words

• corrode
• destroy