as in deteriorates
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 atrophies
The hippocampus is primarily responsible for memory and learning, and commonly shrinks, or atrophies, after a stroke.
—
New Atlas, 6 Sep. 2025
New Atlas, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrophies
Verb
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When those conditions are absent, performance deteriorates quickly.—
Katerin Le Folcalvez,
Fortune,
8 Jan. 2026
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The Kyiv Post reported Thursday that Ukrainian military officials say Russian units left inside the city are cut off from reliable supply lines and are increasingly surrendering as their position deteriorates.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
26 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The song was inspired by surviving a toxic relationship, and then finding a true-hearted love that crumbles emotional walls.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
15 Jan. 2026
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Academic success means little if a child crumbles under stress.—
Dr. Mona Amin,
CNBC,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
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That kind of improvement could help avoid a worst-case scenario the Fed has been desperate to avoid, one where expectations for high inflation trigger a vicious cycle of behavior that only worsens inflation.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
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Both Lago and Iglesias describe the move as taking control of the city’s future, protecting residents from the possibility of rising garbage and disposal fees as the county’s waste crisis worsens.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The other occurs when Marty descends a staircase in the opulent apartment that Kay shares with her rich husband, Milton (Kevin O’Leary).—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
5 Jan. 2026
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Netflix What happens when a supernatural danger descends on a blissful retirement community?—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Using rolling peaks, which measure declines from the most recent market high rather than calendar periods, the S & P 500 has gone 185 days without a 10% drawdown, a stretch that, by itself, does not signal an imminent correction.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
26 Jan. 2026
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Calls for repeal come with leaders of Balboa Park museums and other organizations saying that declines in park visits have ranged from 20% to more than 50% and that overall annual revenue could drop by $20 million to $30 million.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Atrophies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrophies. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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