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wear away

[/wɛr əˈweɪ/]
verb (phrasal verb)
desgastar, erosionar, gastar
1. to gradually reduce or diminish something through continuous friction, use, or erosion
The constant rubbing wore away the paint on the door.
O atrito constante desgastou a tinta da porta.
2. to gradually weaken or reduce someone's resistance, patience, or determination
Years of hardship wore away his optimism.
Anos de dificuldade desgastaram seu otimismo.
3. to gradually diminish or disappear over time
The stone steps have worn away from centuries of footsteps.
Os degraus de pedra se desgastaram após séculos de pegadas.
Synonyms
erodedeterioratediminishweakenabrade
Antonyms
build upreinforcestrengthenpreserve

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
desgastar, erosionar
most common usage in Brazilian Portuguese
São Paulo
desgastar, gastar
typical metropolitan usage
Portugal
desgastar, erosionar, corroer
European Portuguese preference for corroer in geological contexts

Related Idioms & Phrases

wear and tear
wear thin
wear down
wear out
weather away
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