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attrition

uh-TRISH-uhn /əˈtrɪʃən/

nounC1GREGMATUPSC

academicmilitarybusiness

The process of gradually reducing the strength or effectiveness of someone or something through sustained attack or pressure.

Implies a slow, grinding process where victory is achieved by wearing down the enemy's resources, manpower, or morale over time.

The story behind the word. In medieval theology, 'attrition' was an imperfect form of repentance born out of fear of punishment rather than love for God (which was 'contrition'). By the 19th century, the word returned to its literal Latin roots of 'rubbing away' to describe the grinding down of armies.

Word relationships

erosion: Erosion is a physical wearing away by natural elements, while attrition implies a deliberate grinding down by an opposing force.
depletion: Depletion is the simple reduction of a resource, whereas attrition involves active conflict or friction causing that reduction.

accrual: Accrual is the gradual accumulation or growth of something over time.
reinforcement: Reinforcement is the act of strengthening a force by adding more personnel or material.

Commonly confused with

contrition: Contrition is the state of feeling remorseful or penitent, while attrition is a wearing down.

Word family

attritional (adjective): Relating to or causing attrition.

Collocations

war of attrition
employee attrition
attrition rate
gradual attrition

Example sentences

"The Western Front became a brutal war of attrition, where both sides suffered massive casualties with very little territorial gain." World War I trench warfare.
"The company decided not to lay off staff, relying instead on natural attrition as employees retired or resigned." Corporate human resources.

Memory hook

Think of 'attrition' as 'friction' that slowly wears down a machine until it breaks. Attrition is the 'friction' of war that grinds you down.

When not to use

Do not use for sudden, decisive victories or quick, surgical strikes.

Fun facts

In business, 'attrition rate' is the percentage of employees who leave an organization and are not replaced, a key metric for HR departments.