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
The mineral can help prevent tooth decay by strengthening the protective outer layer of enamel that can be worn away by acids formed by bacteria, plaque and sugars in the mouth.
—
Nadia Kounang, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024
The different types include: Acute erosive gastritis: Erosive gastritis occurs when the stomach lining erodes or wears away, leading to painful or bleeding ulcers (open sores).
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 23 Oct. 2024
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.
—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
See all Example Sentences for wear away 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Nadia Kounang, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024
The different types include: Acute erosive gastritis: Erosive gastritis occurs when the stomach lining erodes or wears away, leading to painful or bleeding ulcers (open sores).
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 23 Oct. 2024
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.
—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
See all Example Sentences for wear away
Dictionary Entries Near wear away
Cite this Entry
“Wear away.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wear%20away. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share