1. wearing down or reducing gradually through friction, use, or loss over time
Usage: present participle of 'attrit'; commonly used in military and business contexts
2. reducing the workforce gradually through resignations, retirements, or attrition rather than layoffs
Usage: human resources and organizational management context

Examples

• The constant friction was attriting the metal surface.
• The company is attriting its staff by not replacing departing employees.
• Years of use were attriting the machinery's efficiency.
• The military strategy involved attriting the enemy's resources.
• Budget cuts led to attriting the department through natural turnover.
• Water was slowly attriting the canyon walls.
• The organization reduced costs by attriting positions rather than conducting layoffs.