World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesWear-down
/ˈwɛərˌdaʊn/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
The gradual reduction or weakening of someone's resistance, strength, or patience through sustained pressure or persistence.
"The prolonged negotiations turned into a war of wear-down until one side finally conceded."
- 1
To exhaust or defeat someone or something gradually by persistent effort, harassment, or continuous use.
"The relentless questioning by the defense attorneys began to wear down the witness."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the phrasal verb 'wear down', combining the Old English verb 'werian' (meaning to wear or damage by use, from Proto-Germanic *werjaną) with the adverb 'down'. Over centuries, it evolved from physical friction and erosion to metaphorically describe psychological exhaustion and persistent pressure.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Wear-down"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Wear-down" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
usure
Transliteration: /y.zyʁ/
"Les négociations ont mené à l'usure de leur patience."
Mürbemachen
Transliteration: /ˈmyːɐ̯bəˌmaxn̩/
"Es war ein ständiges Mürbemachen des Gegners."
esaurimento
Transliteration: /e.zau.riˈmen.to/
"La strategia si basava sull'esaurimento della resistenza avversaria."
desgaste
Transliteration: /desˈɡaste/
"La guerra de desgaste duró varios meses."
desgaste
Transliteration: /dʒizˈɡaʃ.tʃi/
"O processo de desgaste emocional foi longo."
थकान
Transliteration: thakaan
"लगातार काम करने से मानसिक थकान हो जाती है।"
消耗战
Transliteration: xiāohàozhàn
"这是一场耐力的消耗战。"
소모전
Transliteration: somojeon
"그들은 길고 지루한 소모전을 벌였다."
消耗戦
Transliteration: shōmōsen
"交渉は互いの消耗戦となった。"
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