corrode

/kəˈrəʊd/ (bre, ipa) · /kəˈrəʊd/ (ame, ipa) · /kə-ˈrōd/ (ame, mw)

corrode — verb

  • corrodepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • corrodeshe / she / it
  • corrodedpast simple
  • corroding-ing form

1. to wear away metal, stone, or another hard material, or to be worn away, through

1.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

to wear away metal, stone, or another hard material, or to be worn away, through water, salt, acid, or other chemical action over time.

例句

Salt water corroded the battery wires in the fishing boat.

corrode + metal object after contact with salt water

After years underground, the iron pipe had badly corroded.

intransitive: metal corrodes without an object

同義詞
  • rust

    narrower, mainly for iron or steel forming a reddish-brown damaged layer

  • erode

    broader and often used for soil, rock, or surfaces worn away by movement or weather

  • eat away

    more everyday phrasing for gradual damage, often less technical than corrode

反義詞
  • protect

    to keep a material safe from damage

  • seal

    to cover a surface so water or air cannot get in

  • preserve

    to keep something in good condition and stop decay or damage

文法句型

corrode + metal/material

metal/material corrode

be corroded by water/salt/acid

用法筆記

Often used for metal, stone, pipes, wires, and similar materials exposed to water, salt, acid, or damp air. This is the physical sense; sense 2 is the figurative use for weakening trust, confidence, or authority.

常見錯誤

❌The towel corroded in the rain.
✅The metal fence corroded in the rain.
💡'corrode' is used for materials such as metal or stone, not for cloth.
❌The sun corroded the poster on the wall.
✅The sun faded the poster on the wall.
💡sunlight can fade paper or color, but 'corrode' suggests chemical damage to a material.

2. to make trust, confidence, authority, or another abstract thing grow steadily we

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

to make trust, confidence, authority, or another abstract thing grow steadily weaker over time.

例句

Months of secrecy corroded trust between the two research teams.

collocation: corrode trust between people or groups

The mayor's false promises corroded public confidence before the vote.

corrode + public confidence / faith

同義詞
  • undermine

    close in meaning and common for slowly weakening trust, confidence, or authority

  • erode

    emphasizes gradual wearing away over time, often in abstract contexts

  • weaken

    broader and more neutral, without the image of damage spreading inward

反義詞
  • strengthen

    to make trust, confidence, or authority stronger

  • restore

    to bring back something that has been damaged or lost

  • rebuild

    to slowly create trust or confidence again after harm

文法句型

corrode + trust/confidence/respect

corrode + institution/relationship

be corroded by lies/fear/bribery

用法筆記

Usually used in formal contexts where something valuable but intangible is damaged little by little. The object is commonly trust, confidence, respect, faith, authority, or a relationship. Sense 1 is used for physical materials.

常見錯誤

❌The scandal corroded the bridge.
✅The scandal corroded public trust.
💡this figurative sense takes abstract things such as trust or confidence, not physical objects.
❌The rumours rusted her confidence.
✅The rumours corroded her confidence.
💡'rust' is usually for literal damage to metal, while 'corrode' can describe gradual figurative damage.