This verb means 'to render useless' or 'make worthless,' describing the process by which something becomes unprofitable or corrupted. Paul uses it in Romans 3:12, quoting Psalm 14: 'All have turned away, they have together become worthless' (ἠχρειώθησαν). The term captures humanity's universal moral failure—we have not merely made mistakes but have become fundamentally useless for the purpose God intended. Classical usage includes damaging or disabling. Paul's indictment is total: apart from grace, every person is ἠχρειωμένος, rendered worthless by sin's corrosive power.