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 halogen-free protection is permanent, meaning it can’t be washed off or worn away.
—
Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 11 Sep. 2025
Those sculptures were painted in bright colors that have since worn away.
—Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 3 Aug. 2025
Additional research has shown the same four-part program can lower blood sugars and heart disease risk in patients with diabetes, reduce prostate cancer cell growth, improve depression and even lengthen telomeres, the protective caps of chromosomes that are worn away by aging.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 29 July 2025
If they are made of iron or steel, the fixtures begin to rust as soon as the plating is chipped, scratched, or worn away.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for wear away
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Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 11 Sep. 2025
Those sculptures were painted in bright colors that have since worn away.
—Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 3 Aug. 2025
Additional research has shown the same four-part program can lower blood sugars and heart disease risk in patients with diabetes, reduce prostate cancer cell growth, improve depression and even lengthen telomeres, the protective caps of chromosomes that are worn away by aging.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 29 July 2025
If they are made of iron or steel, the fixtures begin to rust as soon as the plating is chipped, scratched, or worn away.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for wear away
Cite this Entry
“Wear away.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wear%20away. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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