attrition
1 antonym for attrition — opposites grouped by meaning.
Noun — A gradual wearing down or reduction, especially of staff or resources over time rather than through direct cuts.
Antonyms
How to use attrition
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
natural attrition
a war of attrition
staff attrition rate
Etymology
From Latin attritio, "a rubbing against," from atterere, "to wear down" — built from ad- ("towards") and terere ("to rub").
Full origin of attrition →Frequently asked questions
What does “attrition” mean?
The word “attrition” means a gradual wearing down or reduction, especially of staff or resources over time rather than through direct cuts. In plain terms, a slow, steady wearing-down or thinning-out, often used for staff numbers or military losses over time.
How do you pronounce “attrition”?
“Attrition” is pronounced uh-TRIHSHN (/əˈtɹɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “attrition” in a sentence?
Here is “attrition” used in a sentence: “The department shrank through attrition rather than layoffs.”
What part of speech is “attrition”?
“Attrition” is a noun.
Where does the word “attrition” come from?
The word “attrition” comes from Latin. From Latin attritio, "a rubbing against," from atterere, "to wear down" — built from ad- ("towards") and terere ("to rub").
Is “attrition” a common word?
“Attrition” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “attrition” have?
“Attrition” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a gradual wearing down or reduction, especially of staff or resources over time rather than through direct cuts.
