desgastar; erodir; gastar pelo atrito
1. to wear away or reduce in number by attrition; to cause gradual reduction through friction or constant pressure
The constant conflict would attrit the enemy's forces over time.
O conflito constante desgastaria as forças do inimigo ao longo do tempo.
2. in military context: to reduce enemy strength through sustained pressure and losses
The strategy was to attrit the opposition until they could no longer fight.
A estratégia era desgastar a oposição até que não pudessem mais lutar.
Attrit is primarily a military and technical term used in English, particularly in discussions of warfare strategy and attrition tactics. It is less commonly used in everyday Brazilian Portuguese, where 'desgastar' or 'erodir' are preferred. The term gained prominence in military doctrine during the Cold War and remains in use in strategic military contexts.
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