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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in degeneration
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of atrophy
Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
When students rely on AI to skip foundational learning, crucial skills atrophy.
—Catherine Goetze, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
Ian Millhiser, Vox, 21 Mar. 2025
Cassidy would appear to be a man yearning for an experience that gives meaning to his life, which seems to have atrophied, lost its significance.
—Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrophy
Verb
Critical thinking can atrophy when dissenting views are systematically excluded.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
When students rely on AI to skip foundational learning, crucial skills atrophy.
—Catherine Goetze, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
And the Democratic Party has been stuck in anti-Trump crisis mode for so long that its policy infrastructure has atrophied.
—Ian Millhiser, Vox, 21 Mar. 2025
Cassidy would appear to be a man yearning for an experience that gives meaning to his life, which seems to have atrophied, lost its significance.
—Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrophy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrophy
Verb
-
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood emergency for Ruidoso on Tuesday, warning of rapidly deteriorating conditions and rising river levels that threatened homes and businesses.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
-
This is where matters deteriorated, as PSG faced losing the player for nothing, having committed hundreds of millions to his transfer fee, salary and bonuses over the years.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Moderate degeneration of up to two lumbar intervertebral discs was confirmed by an MRI scan.—
Paul McClure
May 06,
New Atlas,
6 May 2025
-
Scientists have uncovered critical pathways to combat osteoporosis and related conditions more effectively and efficiently by studying rapid skeletal degeneration in microgravity.—
Shelli Brunswick,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
The important storyline over those weeks is about untapped potential, not declining numbers.—
Lindsey Darvin,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
-
This story has been updated to note the FBI declined to comment.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
With deterioration continuing, a 2014 study recommended the entire span be replaced.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
8 July 2025
-
Corrosion is one of the leading causes of conventional RC infrastructure deterioration, often requiring extensive repairs and maintenance.—
Carol Cain,
Freep.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
-
This misinformation can also lead to insurance denials, distorted retirement planning, and worsened stigma.—
Jennifer Jay Palumbo,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Most of the Corn Belt and Midwest remain drought-free, except for northern Illinois where conditions worsened, the agency said.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
It was originally added to water systems to combat tooth decay but more recently has been scrutinized by critics citing studies that elevated exposure could reduce IQ levels in children.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
-
In a world where sugar consumption continues to rise, dentists are struggling to keep up with demand; by some estimates, nearly 3.5 billion people worldwide are now struggling with oral diseases and tooth decay.—
David Prosser,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
Unfortunately, countless family businesses crumble—not for financial reasons, but because of missteps in preparation.—
Anatoly Iofe,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
-
But Paxton's sizeable lead could crumble in light of his divorce proceedings.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
On the morning of July 10, immigration agents descended on Glass House Farms near Camarillo and in Carpinteria – a greenhouse complex that is one of the state's largest marijuana farms.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
14 July 2025
-
Potentially Cloudy Guidance The easyJet share price could very well descend on Thursday if CEO Kenton Jarvis doesn’t reiterate his FY25 PBT guidance of roughly £700-710 million.—
John Choong,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Atrophy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrophy. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share