corroer

Senses

1. 1.

   to corrode, to erode

   to gradually wear away or destroy (metal, stone, etc.) through chemical action or weathering

2. 2.

   to eat away at, to gnaw at

   to consume or destroy gradually from within

3. 3.

   to corrode, to consume

   (figurative) to gradually destroy emotionally or mentally; to torment persistently

Examples

• "A ferrugem corroeu as peças de metal do portão."

  Rust corroded the metal parts of the gate.

• "O ciúme estava corroendo o relacionamento deles."

  Jealousy was eating away at their relationship.

• "O tempo corroeu as pedras antigas do monumento."

  Time eroded the ancient stones of the monument.

Usage

Common verb used both literally (for physical corrosion and erosion) and figuratively (for emotional or psychological deterioration). Often collocates with "ferrugem" (rust), "ácido" (acid), "tempo" (time), and emotions like "ciúme" (jealousy), "culpa" (guilt), or "inveja" (envy). Regular -er verb conjugation.