corroding

verb

Pronunciation: kəˈroʊdɪŋ

Definition

Gradually wearing away or destroying a metal surface through a chemical reaction, or metaphorically weakening something over time.

Examples

• The salt air is corroding the metal frames of the beach houses.

• Constant criticism is corroding his confidence in his own abilities.

• The acid was corroding the pipe from the inside out.

How to Use corroding

corrode [something] (collocation)

to cause a substance to break down chemically. — "The chemicals will corrode the metal surface quickly."

be corroded by [something] (collocation)

to be the passive recipient of chemical or metaphorical decay. — "The pipes were corroded by years of exposure to acidic water."

Synonyms of corroding

Words with a similar meaning to corroding:

• rusting
• eroding
• decaying
• oxidizing

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