attrition

/əˈtrɪʃən/

/əˈtrɪʃɪn/

Other forms: attritions

Attrition is a gradual process of wearing down, weakening, or destroying something.

When a company wants to reduce its payroll without firing anyone, it will sometimes do so through attrition; that is, by waiting for people to retire or quit without hiring anyone new to replace them. In a more general sense, the word means break down, wear out, or reduce in numbers. A triple overtime basketball game, with many players fouling out, is a war of attrition. When you see the word attrition, think "Gradually chipping away."

Definitions of attrition

1. noun

   the act of rubbing together; wearing something down by friction
   type of:

   detrition, friction, rubbing

   effort expended in moving one object over another with pressure
2. noun

   erosion by friction
   synonyms: abrasion, corrasion, detrition

   type of:

   eating away, eroding, erosion, wearing, wearing away

   (geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
3. noun

   the wearing down of rock particles by friction due to water or wind or ice
   synonyms: abrasion, detrition, grinding

   type of:

   friction, rubbing

   the resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another
4. noun

   a wearing down to weaken or destroy
   “a war of attrition”

   type of:

   decrease, drop-off, lessening

   a change downward
5. noun

   sorrow for sin arising from fear of damnation
   synonyms: contriteness, contrition

   type of:

   regret, rue, ruefulness, sorrow

   sadness associated with some wrong done or some disappointment