attrition
attrition /əˈtrɪʃ.ən/ noun [U]
1 F0 FORMAL gradually making something weaker and destroying it, especially the strength or confidence of an enemy by repeatedly attacking it: » Terrorist groups and the government have been engaged in a costly war of attrition since 2008.Thesaurus+: ↑Becoming and making less strong2 F0 US FOR NATURAL WASTAGE(Cf. ↑natural wastage) Thesaurus+: ↑Retiring and resigning from work |