as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value
in the years following the closing of the last textile mill, the town atrophied
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in degeneration
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of atrophy
Illia Smoliienko,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Their defense industry and defense forces have atrophied.
—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Leigh Blickley,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 June 2026
Throughout the course of human spaceflight, astronauts have conducted research on anything from muscle atrophy in microgravity to the psychological effects of long-duration missions.
—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for atrophy
Verb
Otherwise the ability to work independently atrophies.
—
Illia Smoliienko,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Their defense industry and defense forces have atrophied.
—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Noun
Patients typically develop difficulty swallowing, weak fingers and wrists, and atrophy of the forearms and thigh muscles.
—
Leigh Blickley,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 June 2026
Throughout the course of human spaceflight, astronauts have conducted research on anything from muscle atrophy in microgravity to the psychological effects of long-duration missions.
—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for atrophy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrophy
Verb
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England reached stumps on 103-4 after 15 overs, still needing 270 runs in its seemingly forlorn chase of 373 to win on a deteriorating pitch and heading for a first defeat in a home series of three or more tests since 2012.
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Intensifying wildfires across eastern Utah and western Colorado are sending thick smoke into portions of the state, creating hazy skies and deteriorating air quality for many mountain and western Colorado communities.
Noun
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The finding challenges long-standing anatomical assumptions and links spinal lymphatic dysfunction to neurological disorders and vertebral degeneration, reframing just how central this network is to whole-body health.
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Research suggests that curcumin may help reduce inflammatory markers involved in joint discomfort and cartilage degeneration.
Verb
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After years of declining sales, American Girl dolls are seeing a resurgence.
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In May, during a tense commission meeting, a majority of commissioners declined to give her a raise after her first year on the job.
Noun
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But nothing competes with the painful deterioration of her sight after contracting scarlet fever.
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In addition, city officials can now require owners to install security measures to help protect vacant buildings from further deterioration or trespassing.
Verb
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Jan Paul van Hecke of the Netherlands has been involved in two scraps already, the latest when he was hit while going for a header and crumbled, perhaps exaggerating a tad, after Morocco's Azzedine Ounahi challenged the header, as well.
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Survivors say that doors to the facility were locked and that migrants were left to die inside crumbling walls.
Noun
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The aisles were so choked that blooms and branches brushed against us, the air heady with the scent of lilies, roses, eucalyptus, and sweet decay.
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The physical properties of TRISO fuel and gas cooling allow the core to dissipate residual decay heat naturally.
Verb
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The uninterrupted sun dries out soil increasing drought risk, and light winds allow pollutants to build up, worsening air quality, particularly in urban areas.
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People in the area are advised to remain ready to leave again if conditions worsen.
Noun
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Press freedoms across Africa are already fragile, with most nations ranking in the lower half of an influential press freedoms index, while numerous recent coups have contributed to a weakening of democratic norms in parts of the continent.
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One of the most significant changes during Hill’s tenure was the weakening of structures designed to elevate teacher concerns to district leadership, Oreskovic said.
Cite this Entry
“Atrophy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrophy. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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