Word: 消磨 (xiāomó) 消磨 dictionary entry xiāomó to wear down; to sap; to whittle away; to while away; to idle away Full dictionary entry for 消磨 Example sentences using 消磨 2 sentences, showing page 1 of 1. 失败消磨了他的斗志。 Shībài xiāomóle tā de dòuzhì. Failure wore down his fighting spirit. 枯燥的工作慢慢消磨了他的热情。 Kūzào de gōngzuò mànmàn xiāomóle tā de rèqíng. The tedious work gradually sapped his enthusiasm.