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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The turtle slows, more organisms attach, and the animal’s condition deteriorates.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Mar. 2026
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The movie, out now, follows Irene (Liu), her son Joe (Lawrence Shou), whose relationship deteriorates in the wake of his schizophrenia diagnosis.—
Hannah Malach,
InStyle,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Loyalty, betrayal, illness and war all bear down on the group as the old order crumbles around them.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
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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
Verb
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This weather whiplash from intense rain to extreme heat can be hard for residents to wrap their heads around — but is exactly what scientists expect to see more of in Southern California as climate change worsens.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
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China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday urged for a peaceful resolution of the Afghanistan-Pakistan dispute, warning the use of force worsens tensions and threatens regional stability.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As the summer air thickens with diffused sunlight and harsh humidity, a psychological fog descends on our young protagonist.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
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And water aerobics for senior women descends into a bizarre request.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Enrollment declines, class size law The plan was put in motion when Samuels was serving as the local superintendent of District 3.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
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Gradual buys preserve flexibility if the market declines further.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Atrophies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrophies. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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