zermürben

to wear down mentally

verb tser-MÜER-ben Rare

Also means

to grind down

Usage Note

Zermürben describes the process of eroding someone's mental resistance or resolve through persistent pressure. Einen Gegner zermürben (to wear down an opponent) is common in sports, negotiations, and personal relationships.

Examples

"Die langen Wartezeiten zermürbten die Antragsteller."

Natural Translation

The long waiting times wore down the applicants mentally.

Literal Translation

The long waiting-times ground-down the applicants.

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