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
Building that processing infrastructure at commercial scale in the US involves not only capital expenditure but also workforce development in a sector where domestic technical expertise has atrophied.
—
Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 25 May 2026
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
Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 25 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrophied
Verb
-
Fertilizer affordability has deteriorated to levels not seen since the Arab Spring.—
John W.H. Denton AO,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
-
By the time Asher, 3 years old at the time, was admitted to a children's hospital for a second time, his condition had significantly deteriorated.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
That principle has crumbled so far in the face of Wembanyama’s combination of incomprehensible on-court abilities, youthful enthusiasm and cosmopolitan-unto-eccentric savoir faire.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
Some of the young students screamed in panic and wept but mostly remained seated and still, preventing any injuries, Cachuela said, adding that a motorcycle was damaged when a shed crumbled to the ground.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Sales have declined as inflation has worsened, and Benike recently reduced one full-time employee to part-time hours.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
-
The security situation in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso has worsened recently, analysts say, with a record number of attacks by Islamic extremists.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
On Tuesday, rodeo lovers and animal welfare advocates descended on downtown Los Angeles to argue for and against a draft ordinance that would ban the hooved spectacles within the city.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
Not the least of those is a bullpen that has descended into one of the last-reliable in baseball.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Those who declined frequently faced intense criticism from media outlets and activists.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
6 June 2026
-
Major events such as Hamilton and an Issa Rae show were swiftly canceled, staff departures staggered departments and drained the organization of expertise, and ticket sales drastically declined.—
Janay Kingsberry,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Atrophied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrophied. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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