How to Pronounce Attrition

To pronounce "attrition", say ATTR-it-ion — 3 syllables, IPA /[əˈtɹɪʃən]/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

attrition

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

If an accent sounds the same, your device is missing that voice — it falls back to the closest one.

Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

Record yourself saying attrition, then compare with the target. Your audio stays on this device — nothing is uploaded.

Syllables

Letters

/[əˈtɹɪʃən]/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “attrition”

"attrition" has 3 syllables: attr-it-ion. It rhymes with disposition and cognition, if that helps it stick.

What does attrition mean?

noun

Wearing or grinding down by friction.
The gradual reduction in a tangible or intangible resource due to causes that are passive and do not involve productive use of the resource.

verb

To grind or wear down through friction.
“attritioned teeth; attritioned rock”
To reduce the number of (jobs or workers) by not hiring new employees to fill positions that become vacant (often with out).
“As a result of the new policy, people were being attritioned out.”

Synonyms

natural wastage attrit

Antonyms

accretion

Hear “attrition” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with attrition

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

disposition cognition ambition erudition admonition volition composition recognition juxtaposition apparition position acquisition

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "attrition"?▾

"Attrition" has 3 syllables: attr · it · ion.

What is the IPA transcription of "attrition"?▾

The IPA transcription of "attrition" is /[əˈtɹɪʃən]/.

What does "attrition" mean?▾

Attrition: Wearing or grinding down by friction.

Want the definition, translations into 8 languages, and read-aloud for full sentences?

Open “attrition” in the full dictionary →