Definitions for attrition

• Definition
• Anagrams (195)

attrition at·tri·tion

Spelling: [uh-trish-uh n]

IPA: /əˈtrɪʃ ən/

Attrition is a 9 letter English word. It's valid Words with friends word worth 10 points.

You can make 195 anagrams from letters in attrition (aiinorttt).

Definitions for attrition

noun

1. a reduction or decrease in numbers, size, or strength:
2. a wearing down or weakening of resistance, especially as a result of continuous pressure or harassment:
3. a gradual reduction in work force without firing of personnel, as when workers resign or retire and are not replaced.
4. the act of rubbing against something; friction.
5. a wearing down or away by friction; abrasion.
6. Theology. imperfect contrition. See under contrition (def 2).

Origin of attrition

1325-75; Middle English Latin attrītiōn- (stem of attrītiō) friction. See attrite, -ion

Examples for attrition

They have not the attrition which wears away the angularities.

The past two months have been a war of attrition between the Hong Kong government and pro-democracy protestors.

Nothing has done us more harm than all this talk about "attrition."

Following the attrition of heavy industry in the 1980s, the income gap across the United Kingdom has grown substantially.

In what was to a great extent a war of attrition this was a point of some importance.

It is not a decisive war, with a single, signature victory, but a war of attrition.

The difficulty was to overcome its susceptibility to attrition.

I say that attrition with confession is necessary: he believes that contrition is necessary.

Sen. Rand Paul has called for the “attrition if not an outright elimination of the IRS.”

But there is no consensus about what the attrition of ISIS looks like.