Master confusing words with ease
Erode vs. Corrode
Erode
/ɪˈrəʊd/Examples:
The river has begun to erode the soil over millennia.Constant rain will slowly erode the wooden fence.Her confidence started to erode after repeated failures.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Corrode
/kəˈrəʊd/Examples:
The battery acid began to corrode the metal contacts.Years of exposure to saltwater can corrode a ship's hull.Neglecting maintenance will cause pipes to corrode over time.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Erode often refers to the gradual wearing away of land or rock through natural forces like water, wind, or ice.
- Corrode usually involves a chemical reaction where a substance, often metal, deteriorates due to exposure to a corrosive agent, like rust forming on iron.
- Think of erode as a passive process occurring in nature, whereas corrode involves an active chemical reaction, often involving human-made materials.
- Erosion is typically associated with geological features, while corrosion is commonly related to items manufactured or composed of certain metals.
- If you are speaking about beaches, rivers, or soil losing mass, you're likely talking about erosion.
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