erode
Definitions
To gradually wear away soil, rock, or surface by water, wind, or other natural forces.
侵蚀，冲刷（土壤、岩石等被水、风等自然力逐渐磨损）。
To gradually weaken or destroy something abstract such as confidence, trust, or rights.
（信心、信任、权利等）逐渐削弱、被侵蚀。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivede- (away) + rōdere (gnaw) = 'gnaw away.' Water erodes a cliff the way a rodent gnaws a plank — not all at once, but grain by grain. Because the picture is gradual loss, English extended it beyond land: trust and confidence can erode too.
Root rod still carries 7 more wordsWhy It Means This
The power of erode is its slowness — it never describes sudden damage. A flood doesn't erode a beach in an afternoon; years of tides do. This is why the figurative sense fits so well: scandals, inflation, and broken promises all eat away at something invisible, one small bite at a time, until it's gone before anyone noticed.
Common Collocations
- 1.erode confidence削弱信心
- 2.erode trust侵蚀信任
- 3.erode the coastline侵蚀海岸线
- 4.gradually erode逐渐侵蚀
- 5.erode away渐渐磨损
Example Sentences
- 1.
Years of crashing waves have eroded the base of the cliff.
- 2.
The repeated scandals slowly eroded public trust in the government.
- 3.
Inflation steadily eroded the value of their savings.
Synonym Comparison
- erode — gradual, by natural force or slow process; works on land or on abstract things (trust)
- corrode — chemical eating of materials, especially metal; rust and acid
- wear away — plain, everyday word for the same gradual loss
- undermine — weaken from below, often deliberately; can be sudden in effect
- wash away — removed by water in one strong action, not gradual