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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of atrophy
Elizabeth Rush, The Atlantic, 17 Dec. 2024
But the foundations of that strength have atrophied, especially since the end of the Cold War.
—Rush Doshi, Foreign Affairs, 29 Nov. 2024
Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
Promising results from first prenatal therapy for spinal muscular atrophy
Clevland Clinic.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrophy
Verb
Resilience is a muscle that must be regularly exercised to keep from atrophying.
—Elizabeth Rush, The Atlantic, 17 Dec. 2024
But the foundations of that strength have atrophied, especially since the end of the Cold War.
—Rush Doshi, Foreign Affairs, 29 Nov. 2024
Noun
Indeed, technology distracts people and atrophies their listening skills.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
Promising results from first prenatal therapy for spinal muscular atrophy
Clevland Clinic.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrophy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrophy
Verb
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Its effects weren’t confined to California—air quality deteriorated in neighboring states, and supply chain disruptions followed.—
Joel Carboni,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
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Despite overcoming the initial infection, Thomas’ condition deteriorated.—
Amy McGorry,
Fox News,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Hippocampal volume preservation: Exercise has been shown to prevent hippocampal atrophy (degeneration or shrinkage) and improve spatial memory, the physician said.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
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Changes in metabolism, appetite, and mobility could signal underlying brain degeneration.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
12 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Research from analytics firm Gallup shows that U.S. alcohol consumption is declining, with younger generations drinking significantly less than their predecessors.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
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Daily meme coin launches peaked shortly after the $trump coin debut but have declined sharply.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This industry is the major culprit in the bay’s deterioration.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Feb. 2025
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In the fourth quarter, revenues were up 2 percent at constant exchange rates, returning to growth after several quarters of deterioration, mainly thanks to the improvement recorded by the wholesale channel.—
Luisa Zargani,
WWD,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In the next episode, which followed the premiere, the feud continued to worsen.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
5 Mar. 2025
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Elsewhere in the Keys, worsening water quality has been identified as one of the factors responsible for a decline in bonefish and tarpon, and the devastation of Florida's coral reefs.—
Greg Allen,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Such insects accelerate microbial decay by grinding wood down to smaller bits, while also digesting some themselves.—
Katarina Zimmer,
Smithsonian Magazine,
28 Feb. 2025
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Cats and dogs can detect odor and decay from long distances.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Today, despite its crumbling condition, the concrete trough still attracts young Bosnian athletes chasing Olympic dreams.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
1 Mar. 2025
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But the vaccine's power to beat back measles outbreaks starts to crumble when vaccination rates drop low enough.—
Alyson Hurt,
NPR,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Zelenskyy arrived in the U.K. on Saturday, straight from his visit to Washington, D.C., in which an Oval Office meeting with Trump and Vice President JD Vance descended into an open argument in front of gathered reporters.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2025
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This is the luge and bobsleigh run built over four decades ago for the Winter Olympics, which were held in Sarajevo in 1984, a moment of glory for Yugoslavia before the country split apart and descended into civil war.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
1 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Atrophy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrophy. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
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