a war of attrition

USAGE SUMMARY

"a war of attrition" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a conflict where the combatants try to defeat each other through wearing down their resources, such as a war of attrition between two countries who keep sending their armies to fight each other until one of them gives up. For example: The two countries have been embroiled in a war of attrition for the past five years, with no end in sight.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

A war of attrition began.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's like a war of attrition.

The New York Times

"This is a war of attrition.

The New York Times

"Life's a war of attrition," he said.

The Guardian - Film

"It's sort of a war of attrition.

The New York Times

It was a war of attrition that nobody could win.

The Guardian - Books

It's going to be a war of attrition".

The Guardian

"It's a war of attrition," he told me.

The New Yorker

There was a war of attrition against us.

The Guardian

Every zombie war is a war of attrition.

The New York Times - Arts

"They're waging a war of attrition against the cause of good policy".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a war of attrition" when describing situations where prolonged endurance and sustained effort are more important than decisive victories. This emphasizes the gradual nature of the struggle.

Common error

Avoid using "a war of attrition" to describe short-term conflicts. The phrase implies a sustained, prolonged effort where the cumulative effect of small losses eventually leads to victory or defeat.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a war of attrition" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a specific type of conflict or struggle, as demonstrated in examples from Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a war of attrition" is a commonly used phrase that accurately describes a prolonged struggle characterized by the gradual wearing down of an opponent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and applicable in diverse contexts, though primarily found in news and media. When writing, remember that this phrase is best suited for situations where endurance and sustained effort are crucial, and avoid using it for short-term conflicts. Alternatives such as ""a war of exhaustion"" or ""a prolonged conflict"" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a war of exhaustion

Focuses on the debilitating aspect of the conflict, emphasizing the depletion of resources.

a battle of attrition

Interchangeable, simply using "battle" instead of "war".

a prolonged conflict

Highlights the extended duration of the struggle.

a drawn-out struggle

Emphasizes the lengthy and often tedious nature of the conflict.

a war of endurance

Stresses the necessity of withstanding hardship and pressure over time.

a grinding campaign

Implies a slow, relentless, and often painful process.

a wearing-down process

Directly describes the act of gradually weakening the opponent.

a protracted dispute

Highlights the extended and often frustrating nature of the disagreement.

a battle of wills

Emphasizes the psychological aspect of the conflict, focusing on determination and resolve.

a relentless campaign

Underscores the unwavering and persistent nature of the effort.

FAQs

How can I use "a war of attrition" in a sentence?

You can use "a war of attrition" to describe any situation where the participants are trying to win by slowly wearing down their opponent. For instance, "The legal battle became "a war of attrition", with each side filing endless appeals."

What's a synonym for "a war of attrition"?

Similar phrases include "a war of exhaustion", "a battle of attrition", or "a prolonged conflict". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "a war of attrition" only used for military conflicts?

No, "a war of attrition" can be used in various contexts, including business, politics, and even personal relationships, to describe any situation where success depends on enduring a long and difficult struggle.

What is the key characteristic of "a war of attrition"?

The defining characteristic is that victory is achieved through the gradual wearing down of the opponent's resources, rather than through a swift, decisive blow. It's about endurance and the cumulative effect of small advantages.