1. relating to or causing attrition; involving gradual wearing away or reduction
Usage: formal; often used in military or business contexts
2. of or relating to attrition in theology; expressing sorrow for sin motivated by fear of punishment rather than love of God
Usage: theological; formal

Examples

• The general adopted an attritive strategy, slowly depleting the enemy's resources.
• The company faced attritive losses as experienced employees gradually left.
• Attritive warfare relies on wearing down the opponent over time.
• The medieval theologian distinguished between attritive and contritive repentance.
• Years of attritive erosion had shaped the canyon walls.
• Management was concerned about attritive turnover in the department.