Weaken over time, as support - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Weaken over time, as support," is a classic example of a straightforward definition with a helpful contextual clarifier. It points to a common verb that describes a process of gradual decline, something we see in both the natural world and in human affairs.

Clue Analysis

The clue can be broken into two parts:

1. "Weaken over time": This is the core definition. It describes a process, not a sudden event. The key is the slow, gradual nature of the weakening.
2. "as support": This provides a specific, common example. We often hear phrases like "eroding support for a candidate" or "the erosion of public trust." This part of the clue steers us toward a word that is frequently used in this metaphorical sense.

The answer must be a verb that encapsulates this idea of a slow wearing away, applicable to both physical and abstract things.

Thinking Approaches

For a clue like this, a good strategy is to brainstorm synonyms and related concepts:

1. Direct Synonyms: What words mean "to weaken gradually"? You might think of wear away, deteriorate, disintegrate, corrode, or decay. One of these is very close to the answer.
2. Contextual Brainstorming: Focus on the "as support" part. How do news reports describe failing political support? They often use the exact word needed for the answer. This is a common collocation (a pair of words that frequently appear together).
3. Consider the Opposite: What's the opposite of weakening over time? Strengthening, building, growing, fortifying. Thinking about antonyms can sometimes help clarify the specific meaning the clue is targeting.
4. Use Crossings: If you're stuck, getting even one or two crossing letters can be a huge help. A common five-letter word with a vowel-consonant-vowel pattern often becomes obvious once a few letters are in place.

Background Context

The answer to this clue has its roots in the Latin word erodere, which means "to gnaw away." This etymology perfectly captures the sense of a slow, persistent process of wearing something down.

This concept is most famously applied in geology, where erosion refers to the action of wind, water, and ice shaping the Earth's surface over millennia. However, its power as a metaphor has made it a staple in discussions of politics, economics, and social issues to describe the gradual decline of things like trust, confidence, savings, or authority.

Conclusion

This clue is a solid, fair, and common crossword entry. By recognizing the core concept of "gradual decline" and considering the provided context of "support," solvers can quickly arrive at the answer. It's a great reminder of how language borrows powerful concepts from the physical world to describe abstract ideas.

Hints

1. Hint 1: Think of a natural process that wears things down, like wind or water on a landscape.
2. Hint 2: This verb can apply to physical things like coastlines, but also to abstract concepts like confidence or trust.
3. Hint 3: The word is a synonym for 'wear away' or 'corrode'.
4. Hint 4: If public trust in an institution diminishes slowly, you could say that trust has done this.