attrition
6 synonyms and 1 antonym for attrition, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A gradual wearing down or reduction, especially of staff or resources over time rather than through direct cuts.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
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.
