wear down crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com! Here you'll find all possible solutions for the crossword clue "wear down," organized by letter count, along with helpful explanations to boost your crossword-solving skills. Whether you're stuck on a daily puzzle or a challenging cryptic, we've got you covered.
Solutions for "wear down crossword clue" by Letter Count
5 Letters
ERODE: To gradually destroy or diminish something by natural agents or processes.
6 Letters
ABRADE: To scrape or wear away by friction or erosion.
7 Letters
FATIGUE: To cause (someone) to feel tired or exhausted, or to weaken through repeated stress or effort.
ATTRITE: To wear down or weaken (an opponent or enemy) by continuous harassment or attack.
10 Letters
DEBILITATE: To make (someone) weak and infirm; hinder, delay, or weaken.
More About "wear down crossword clue"
The clue "wear down" often appears in crosswords, and its meaning can range from physical erosion to the psychological weakening of an individual or group. Understanding this dual nature is key to solving such clues. Physically, it relates to the friction or continuous action that reduces a material, like water wearing down rocks. Metaphorically, it refers to the process of exhausting or disheartening someone until they give in or lose their effectiveness, a common tactic in negotiations or conflicts.
When you encounter "wear down" in a crossword, consider the context. Is it referring to a natural process (like ERODE or ABRADE) or a more abstract concept of weakening (like FATIGUE or DEBILITATE)? The number of letters will guide you, but thinking about synonyms in both the literal and figurative sense will greatly expand your options. Words like "grind," "erode," "fatigue," "exhaust," and "reduce" are all in the semantic field of this clue.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Nuance: For clues like "wear down," consider if the meaning is literal (physical wear) or figurative (psychological or strategic weakening). This often determines the type of synonym needed.
- Check Letter Count First: Always match the possible answers with the given letter count. This immediately narrows down the options and helps you focus on relevant synonyms.
- Look for Cross-References: If you're stuck, try solving intersecting clues. Filling in a few letters can often reveal the full word for a difficult "wear down" answer.
- Consider Common Crossword Synonyms: Crosswords often reuse certain words for similar concepts. Familiarize yourself with common answers for frequent clue types.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'wear down' mean in a crossword context?
'Wear down' in crosswords typically refers to the gradual reduction, erosion, or weakening of something or someone. This can be physical (like a material wearing away) or metaphorical (like someone losing resistance or energy).
How can I find synonyms for 'wear down' for my crossword?
To find synonyms, think about the different facets of 'wearing down': erosion, fatigue, attrition, weakening. Use a thesaurus or an online crossword solver that offers synonyms based on clue meanings and letter lengths, often filtering by common crossword answers.
Are there common prefixes or suffixes related to 'wearing down' in crosswords?
While not strictly prefixes/suffixes, words related to 'wear down' often contain roots like 'erode,' 'abrade,' 'attrit,' or 'fatigue.' Also, consider words implying a slow, continuous process, which can guide you to answers like ERODE or DEBILITATE. Sometimes clues hint at a process that 'wears' something 'down' to its basic form.