attritionnoun [ U ]
uk/əˈtrɪʃ.ən/us/əˈtrɪʃ.ən/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.
US UK natural wastage business a reduction in the number of people who work for an organization that is achieved by not replacing those people who leave
US UK wastage the people who leave an educational or training course before it has finished:
The high attrition rates on the degree programs are a cause for concern.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Becoming and making less strong
- abate
- adulterate
- attenuate
- blow over
- blunt
- crumble
- deflate
- dial
- dim
- emasculate
- jelly
- keep sb down
- knock/take the stuffing out of sb/sth idiom
- muffle
- neutralize
- pine
- sag
- sap
- shake
- wither on the vine idiom
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Retiring & resigning
Students & pupils