attrition

This term describes a process of gradual erosion or reduction rather than a sudden event. In corporate or military contexts, it refers to a strategy of wearing down an opponent or a workforce over time, where the goal is to exhaust resources or personnel through persistence and steady loss. In physical or medical contexts, it specifically denotes the mechanical wearing away of a surface, such as tooth enamel or geological formations, caused by repetitive friction. It is an uncountable noun when referring to the general process of wearing down, though it can be used countably when referring to specific instances or types of attrition.