weathering
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for weathering, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The breaking down of rock, soil and building materials where they lie, caused by rain, frost, wind, heat and chemical reactions with air and water.
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
The breaking down of rock, soil and building materials where they lie, caused by rain, frost, wind, heat and chemical reactions with air and water.
“Frost weathering split the cliff face along its joints.”
How to Use Weathering
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
A core geography and geology term; the verb sense is common in business and news writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between weathering and erosion?
Weathering breaks rock apart where it sits, with no transport involved. Erosion is the removal of the loosened material by water, ice, wind or gravity. Weathering usually happens first and erosion clears up after it.
What are the main types of weathering?
Physical, which cracks rock apart through frost, heat or pressure release; chemical, in which water and acids dissolve or alter the minerals; and biological, where roots, burrowing animals and lichens do the damage.