ATROPHY Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

atrophy 1 of 2

verb

Definition of atrophy

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

atrophy

2 of 2

noun

as in degeneration

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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

Verb

What is your advice for people who are trying to either develop or redevelop this atrophying muscle of curiosity and attention? — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 26 June 2026 The missive cites a slew of studies suggesting that AI software such as ChatGPT may atrophy critical thinking skills and creativity during the crucial developmental years of elementary and high school. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 24 June 2026

Noun

Aviation learned, repeatedly and expensively, what happens when human skills atrophy inside that gap. — IEEE Spectrum, 2 Sep. 2026 His football endurance might still be coming along; his football instincts might still be creeping back; his contact-balance is still a skill that needs to be strengthened after years of atrophy. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for atrophy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrophy

Verb

Meanwhile, at the celebratory crew dinner, the we’re-all-in-this-together vibe starts to deteriorate.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026
Her condition deteriorated rapidly over the following 48 hours.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of deteriorate

Noun

When nobody has coached a person into this transition, the degeneration is quick.

— Vikas Arora, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
According to the American Brain Foundation, frontotemporal degeneration (also known as frontotemporal dementia), is a group of neurodegenerative disorders associated with changes in the brain’s frontal and temporal lobes.

— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of degeneration

Verb

When Albin returned to the question of which country posed the greater threat to American interests, el Sayed again declined to choose between them, arguing that both had demonstrated the capacity to cause harm.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
Courtesy of Heineken, 2026 Caton declined to say how many European jobs will go, citing ongoing consultation with staff and the European Works Council.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of decline

Verb

The neighborhood This is one of Bangkok’s oldest districts, where street kitchens still dish up 100-year-old family recipes and crumbling shophouses line the road.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Plague death exposes Putin's crumbling grip as war and economy spiral downward.

— , FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of crumble

Noun

The inspector reported that there were two carrots and one celery stalk that have white growth and decay in the container next to the juicer.

— Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2026
Protesters in recent weeks have clashed with police to demand their government increase investments in public schools, which have long suffered from staff shortages and infrastructural decay.

— Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of decay

Verb

Some experts point to worsening public health since the 2008 financial crisis, citing factors such as growing obesity, long hospital waiting times, the cost-of-living crisis and other social causes.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 4 Oct. 2026
His latest promise — which, like the others, would require approval from Congress — would probably cost more than $1 trillion, adding to the ballooning deficit and worsening inflation.

— Melissa Goldin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of worsen

Noun

This weakening of the trade winds then allows the warm water to flow towards the west coast of South America instead.

— Matthew Villafane, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
By Wednesday next week, the moisture plume from the weakening storm will arrive in Arizona and New Mexico with the potential for flash floods and lingering tropical showers throughout the desert.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of weakening

Browse Nearby Words

atrophies

atrophy

atrophying

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Style

“Atrophy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrophy. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of atrophy

verb

noun

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