as in deteriorated
to become worse or of less value
in the years following the closing of the last textile mill, the town atrophied
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Recent Examples of atrophied
Their defense industry and defense forces have atrophied.
—
Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
While limited-government instincts seem to have atrophied for many Republicans, Duffy has retained the good sense of opposing government bailouts for private companies.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 3 May 2026
These periods of wealth aligned with higher oil production, which has since atrophied.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
What if the act of getting back onstage becomes proof that the muscle has atrophied or that someone’s sense of humor got stuck a decade ago?
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
The story has gained ascendancy as a vehicle for understanding the world while the ability to interpret narrative has atrophied.
—Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
At birth, Holc weighed 6 pounds, 6 3/4 ounces and suffered from hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a fatal heart defect in which the heart’s left chamber is missing or atrophied.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
The 2022 invasion reinvigorated a domestic defense industry that had atrophied beyond recognition since Soviet times.
—Tamar Jacoby, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
That episode drives home how deeply the oversight capacities of the American system have atrophied in its wake.
—Chris Lehmann, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
While limited-government instincts seem to have atrophied for many Republicans, Duffy has retained the good sense of opposing government bailouts for private companies.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 3 May 2026
These periods of wealth aligned with higher oil production, which has since atrophied.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026
What if the act of getting back onstage becomes proof that the muscle has atrophied or that someone’s sense of humor got stuck a decade ago?
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
The story has gained ascendancy as a vehicle for understanding the world while the ability to interpret narrative has atrophied.
—Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
At birth, Holc weighed 6 pounds, 6 3/4 ounces and suffered from hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a fatal heart defect in which the heart’s left chamber is missing or atrophied.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
The 2022 invasion reinvigorated a domestic defense industry that had atrophied beyond recognition since Soviet times.
—Tamar Jacoby, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
That episode drives home how deeply the oversight capacities of the American system have atrophied in its wake.
—Chris Lehmann, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrophied
Verb
-
Since his installation, the national security of Israeli citizens has steadily deteriorated.—
Avi Issacharoff,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2026
-
The facility had deteriorated insulation around the pipes.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
May 22,
Sacbee.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
A lot of the old ways and structures the industry was built around have shifted or crumbled.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
One gentle nudge and Minnesota crumbled, 139-109, to end this Western Conference semifinal.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Drought conditions have worsened the spread of the wheat streak mosaic virus and barley yellow dwarf virus, which impact the potential of the crop.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 May 2026
-
After that year, our situation worsened.—
Abraham Jiménez Enoa,
The Dial,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Surveillance video captured the dramatic end to the crash, including when a man flew out of the truck, rolled onto the ground and stood up before law enforcement descended on the scene.—
Ana Maria Soler,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
-
Outside the Capitol, House Speaker Mike Johnson descended the stairs to a lectern.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Officials at Tucson’s Kino Sports Complex declined to comment.—
Chantz Martin OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, a Cook County judge on Thursday declined to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate alleged wrongdoing by federal agents during Operation Midway Blitz.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Atrophied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrophied. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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