attrition
[noun]
Synonyms: penitence, contriteness, contrition, penance, penitency, remorse, remorsefulness, repentance, rue, ruth

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

at‧tri‧tion /əˈtrɪʃən/ noun [uncountable] formal
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: attritio, from atterere 'to rub against', from ad- 'to' + terere 'to rub']

1. the process of gradually destroying your enemy or making them weak by attacking them continuously:
a war of attrition

2. especially American English when people leave a company or course of study and are not replaced:
Staff reductions could be achieved through attrition and early retirements.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲