wear away
phrasal verb
wore away; worn away; wearing away; wears away
: to gradually disappear or to cause (something) to gradually disappear or become thinner, smaller, etc., because of use
The paint on the sign had worn away.
Even a trickle of water will eventually wear rock away.
—often used as (be) worn awayThe table's finish was worn away.
Examples of wear away in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Outdoor brick is up for plenty of environmental elements—water among them—but indoor brick is another story, once again, thanks to its protective sealant that can be worn away or damaged with the introduction of water.
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Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2024
This is a luxury that costs but the price of a common yogurt, and the thrill does not wear away.
—Jenny Slate, The New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2024
Especially in a climate where outdoor exposure can quickly wear away at materials, this can ensure one more level of protection between the elements and your treasured belongings.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2024
Cartilage wears away and becomes frayed and rough, resulting in bone rubbing on bone, leading to pain and stiffness.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wear away 
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2024
This is a luxury that costs but the price of a common yogurt, and the thrill does not wear away.
—Jenny Slate, The New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2024
Especially in a climate where outdoor exposure can quickly wear away at materials, this can ensure one more level of protection between the elements and your treasured belongings.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2024
Cartilage wears away and becomes frayed and rough, resulting in bone rubbing on bone, leading to pain and stiffness.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wear away
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wear away.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Wear away.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wear%20away. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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