attrition

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) Grinding down or wearing away by friction.
2. (countable, uncountable) Grinding down or wearing away by friction.
3. (countable, uncountable) A gradual reduction in number.
4. (countable, uncountable) A gradual reduction in number.
5. (countable, uncountable) A gradual reduction in number.
6. (countable, uncountable) A gradual reduction in number.
7. (countable, uncountable) Imperfect contrition or remorse.

Verb

1. (transitive) To grind or wear down through friction.
2. (transitive) To reduce the number of (jobs or workers) by not hiring new employees to fill positions that become vacant (often with out).
3. (intransitive) To undergo a reduction in number.

Opposite of

accretion

Synonyms

abrasion

friction

detrition

rubbing

grinding

corrasion

wear

contrition

contriteness

spoilage

spoiling

wastage

wear and tear

wear away

wearing down

wearing away

waste

natural wastage

tear-and-wear

abrading

wear abrasion abrasiveness

abrasiveness

corruption

decay

emaciation

exhaustion

frazzle

rub

ruin

Translations

usure

τριβή

snervamento

desgaste

abrasion

atrito

φθορά

attrizione

départs volontaires

ξύσιμο

fregament

Abrieb

Zermürbung

συντριβή

Abreibung

Pronounced as (IPA)

/əˈtɹɪʃən/

Etymology

15th century, from Middle English attricion, attricioun, from Middle French attricion, attrition and its etymon, Latin attrītiō (“a rubbing against”), from the verb attrītus, past participle of atterō (“to wear”), from ad- (“to, towards”) + terō (“to rub”). By surface analysis, attrit + -ion.