What is "attrition warfare"?

Attrition warfare is fundamentally about wearing down the enemy's forces by inflicting sustained and continuous losses over time, which diminishes their ability to continue fighting. The goal of this strategy is to exhaust the enemy's manpower, resources, and morale. By consistently engaging the enemy and causing casualties, a force aims to weaken the opponent's overall effectiveness to the point where they can no longer sustain operations or resist effectively.

This approach often entails prolonged engagements and can sometimes lead to significant casualties on both sides. However, a force employing attrition warfare typically believes it can maintain higher morale or sustain losses better than the enemy. This method contrasts sharply with other military strategies that may prioritize mobility, stealth, or surprise. The other approaches listed focus on different aspects of warfare, such as maneuver or surprise, rather than wearing down the enemy through direct engagement over time.