attrition

UK /əˈtrɪʃn̩/ US /əˈtrɪʃən/ Syllables: at-tri-tion

Pronunciation

Noun B1 Intermediate Formal

A gradual reduction in strength or numbers caused by continuous pressure or loss over time.

Attrition is a slow wearing down. Something gets smaller, weaker or thinner a little at a time, until much less of it is left. In a war, attrition means wearing the enemy down with steady losses instead of one big battle, which is why people speak of a war of attrition. At work, attrition means the number of staff falls because people retire or resign and nobody is hired to take their place. In a study, it means participants drop out before the end. The word can also mean the friction that wears a surface away, such as the wear on a tooth. In every use the loss is gradual, never sudden, so you would not use attrition for a layoff that happens in one day. The adjective is attritional.

"The company lost many staff to natural attrition rather than layoffs."

Meanings

A gradual reduction in numbers, size or strength, such as staff who leave and are not replaced.
The wearing down of an opponent by continuous losses over a long time, as in a war of attrition. (military)
The wearing away of a surface by rubbing or friction. (technical)

Example sentences

"The company reduced its staff through natural attrition."

Level B2, Meaning 1
"The strike turned into a war of attrition."

Level C1, Meaning 2
"The college keeps track of attrition among first-year students."

Level B2, Meaning 1
"Years of friction caused attrition of the metal surface."

Level C1, Meaning 3
"The study lost many participants to attrition."

Level B2, Meaning 1

Synonyms and antonyms

Synonyms

erosion decline

Look-alikes and common mistakes

contrition : Contrition is regret for doing wrong. It looks a little like attrition, but the meanings are different.
erosion : Erosion is wearing away by water, wind or time. Attrition is wearing down by rubbing or by steady losses.
turnover : Turnover counts people who leave, whether or not they are replaced. Attrition suggests the jobs are not filled again.

Word family and forms

attritional attrite attrition bias

Word partners

Words and phrases that often go with "attrition".

war of attrition
natural attrition
attrition rate
attrition warfare
attrition bias
staff attrition

Idioms and phrases

war of attrition: A long struggle won by wearing the other side down, not by one decisive blow.; "The talks became a war of attrition between the two sides."

Origin

Attrition comes from the Latin attrītiō, a rubbing against, which comes from the verb atterō, to wear. It reached English in the 1300s. The picture of rubbing and wearing away is still in every modern use, from tooth wear to staff numbers.

Checked against: Wiktionary, the free dictionary, Dictionary.com.

Usage notes

A "war of attrition" is a common phrase for a long conflict fought by gradually wearing down the enemy rather than through decisive battles.

How to remember it

Think of rubbing a pencil eraser on paper. Each rub removes a little, and after many rubs a lot is gone. That is attrition.

Test yourself

Which word fits the gap? "The company reduced its staff through natural _____."

Answer: attrition

In your own words, what does "attrition" mean?