wear down

To gradually make someone very tired in their body or mind.

• The long hours wear me down.
• Months of worry wore him down.
• She felt worn down by the constant noise.

How to use it: wear someone down (Working nights has worn her down.)

Similar words: exhaust, tire out, drain

Opposites: energize, refresh

Common phrases: wear someone down, wear down someone

To keep trying until someone gives in or can no longer fight against you.

• The children kept asking and wore me down.
• Repeated attacks wore down the enemy's defenses.
• She finally wore him down and he agreed to help.

How to use it: wear someone down (They wore him down with repeated requests.)

Similar words: overcome, break down

Common phrases: wear someone down, wear down resistance

To make something smaller or smoother through repeated rubbing or use, or become smaller this way.

• The soles wear down quickly.
• Years of footsteps wore down the stone steps.
• Grinding your teeth can wear them down.

How to use it: wear something down (Flowing water wears the rocks down.)

Similar words: erode, abrade

Common phrases: wear down something, wear something down, wear down slowly