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

He once bought a $117 pair of MSCHF’s Gobstomper shoes whose soles wear down to reveal differing colors in a nod to the hard-shell candy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

As mitochondria naturally wear down over time, protecting them could help older adults to fight infections and stay healthier.

From Science Daily • Oct. 10, 2025

The hope is that alongside returners Jalen Berger and Anthony Frias II, the Bruins can spread their carries and wear down defenses.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 3, 2025

It's these "tactics of delay" that often "wear down campaigners", says one activist, Kanak Mani Dixit.

From BBC • Nov. 3, 2024

Eventually, the Fifteens began to wear down the younger boys and to find the seams in the Thirteens’ defense.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John