erosion

The gradual removal of soil or rock by wind, water, or ice.

• Trees help prevent soil erosion.
• Heavy rain caused erosion along the river.
• The cliff shows clear signs of coastal erosion.

Common phrases: soil erosion, coastal erosion, prevent erosion

A slow decrease in the strength, amount, or value of something.

• There has been an erosion of trust.
• Inflation caused a steady erosion of our savings.
• The report warned of further erosion of workers’ rights.

How to use it: erosion of something (The scandal led to an erosion of public trust.)

Similar words: decline, weakening

Common phrases: erosion of trust, steady erosion

A shallow damaged area where the surface of the skin or other body tissue has worn away.

• The doctor found a small erosion.
• Several erosions appeared on the stomach lining.
• The skin erosion healed within a week.

Similar words: surface lesion

Common phrases: skin erosion, gastric erosion