v. 〔气候〕侵蚀，腐蚀；〔岩石、土壤〕风化 ≈ wear away

v.  逐步损害，渐渐削弱〔权力或信心〕

• erosion 

  n. 〔风、雨或海水的〕侵蚀，腐蚀

  n.  逐步毁坏，削弱

• erosive  a. 腐蚀的；冲蚀的；侵蚀性的

• soil erosion  水土流失

• The rocks have gradually eroded away. 岩石逐渐风化。

• Repeated exam failure had eroded her confidence. 考试屡屡不及格削弱了她的自信心。

• The research stations on King George Island offer a glimpse into the long game on this ice-blanketed continent as nations assert themselves, eroding the sway long held by countries like the United States, Britain, Australia and New Zealand. 撼动了长期以来…的统治地位

• They did so, though, while doing little to stop the erosion of available aid. 逐步减少相关援助

BrE /əˌbriːviˈeɪʃn/