erode

1. V-T/V-I If rock or soil erodes or is eroded by the weather, sea, or wind, it cracks and breaks so that it is gradually destroyed. 侵蝕

The storm washed away buildings and roads and eroded beaches. 暴風(fēng)雨沖走了建築物和道路，侵蝕了沙灘。

2. V-T/V-I If someone's authority, right, or confidence erodes or is eroded, it is gradually destroyed or removed. 削弱[正式]

His critics say his fumbling on the issue of reform has eroded his authority. 他的批評者們說他在改革問題上的拙劣做法已削弱了他的權(quán)威。

3. V-T/V-I If the value of something erodes or is eroded by something such as inflation or age, its value decreases. 降低

Competition in the financial marketplace has eroded profits. 金融市場的競爭降低了利潤。