1. to wear away or reduce gradually through friction, use, or attrition
Usage: technical; formal
2. to reduce the strength or effectiveness of an enemy through sustained losses and harassment
Usage: military; formal

Examples

• The constant friction will attrit the metal surface over time.
• The prolonged conflict began to attrit the opposing forces.
• Water and wind attrit the canyon walls year after year.
• The company's resources were attrited by years of poor management.
• Military strategists planned to attrit enemy supplies through blockade.
• Repeated use attrits the rubber on the soles of shoes.