as in erosion
a gradual weakening, loss, or destruction
took the machinery out of operation since attrition had led to the main mechanism's breaking
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Recent Examples of attrition
Advertisement New projections included in the department’s fiscal year 2026 budget proposal show that between recruiting shortfalls and attrition, leaders expect to lose more than 150 cops, leaving a force of about 8,620 by June 30, 2026.
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Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Topline In one of his first actions as President of the United States, Donald Trump issued an executive order on Monday ending remote work for all federal employees—a move intended to reduce the federal workforce through attrition.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
At the same time, Ukraine is focused on causing as much attrition as possible among Russian forces, according to Seth Jones of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
—Joanna Kakissis, NPR, 16 Jan. 2025
Georgia was hoping to get Etienne back, especially given attrition on the offensive line, where four starters are departing.
—Seth Emerson, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for attrition 
Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Topline In one of his first actions as President of the United States, Donald Trump issued an executive order on Monday ending remote work for all federal employees—a move intended to reduce the federal workforce through attrition.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
At the same time, Ukraine is focused on causing as much attrition as possible among Russian forces, according to Seth Jones of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
—Joanna Kakissis, NPR, 16 Jan. 2025
Georgia was hoping to get Etienne back, especially given attrition on the offensive line, where four starters are departing.
—Seth Emerson, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for attrition
Thesaurus Entries Near attrition
Cite this Entry
“Attrition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attrition. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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