ajar

To fade, wither, or wear down the appearance of something over time — el sol ajó las cortinas, la piel se ajó con los años — and, applied to a person, to humiliate or verbally mistreat them. The "fade/wither" sense is the one learners meet most, often describing skin, flowers, or fabric.

• El sol ajó las cortinas con el paso de los años. — The sun faded the curtains over the years.
• Sus manos estaban ajadas por el trabajo duro. — Her hands were worn and weathered from hard work.
• No dejes que las críticas te ajen el ánimo. — Don't let the criticism wear down your spirits.

Confusing ajar with the similar-sounding atajar (to intercept, take a shortcut) — despite sharing several letters, the two verbs are completely unrelated in meaning.