attrition

[/əˈtrɪʃən/]
noun
desgaste; atrito; redução gradual
1. The process of gradually reducing the strength or effectiveness of someone or something through sustained attack or pressure
The company faced employee attrition due to low wages.
A empresa enfrentou desgaste de funcionários devido aos baixos salários.
2. A wearing away or reduction by friction or erosion
The constant friction caused attrition of the machinery parts.
O atrito constante causou desgaste das peças da máquina.
3. In warfare, the strategy of wearing down an enemy through continuous losses
The military adopted a war of attrition strategy.
O exército adotou uma estratégia de guerra de desgaste.
4. In business, the rate at which employees leave a company
The company's attrition rate increased significantly this quarter.
A taxa de rotatividade da empresa aumentou significativamente neste trimestre.
In American and Brazilian corporate culture, 'attrition' (or 'desgaste/rotatividade') is a critical HR metric. High employee attrition is considered problematic and costly. In military contexts, the term has historical significance in discussions of warfare strategy, particularly in World War I. The concept is increasingly used metaphorically in business to describe any gradual decline or wearing down of resources.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
wearing awayerosionfrictiongrinding downreductionturnoverdepletion
Antonyms / Antônimos
accumulationgrowthretentionbuilding up

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
desgaste
Most common term used in business and military contexts
General Brazilian
atrito
Used primarily in mechanical and physical contexts
São Paulo
rotatividade
Preferred in HR and corporate contexts for employee turnover
Portugal
desgaste; atrito
Similar usage to Brazilian Portuguese, with 'desgaste' being more common in modern contexts

Related Words

attritiveattritwearerosionfrictionturnovergrinding

Related Idioms & Phrases

war of attrition
death by a thousand cuts (similar concept)
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