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
as in degeneration
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of atrophy
Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 9 May 2024
Its economic position is parlous, its demographic situation is miserable and its military capacities have atrophied, and most of the chest-thumping about a revival of European power is empty talk and fantasy politics.
—Ross Douthat, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025
Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 4 Mar. 2025
From over-reliance and skill atrophy to growing emotional attachment and isolation, people are already reshaping their lives around AI.
—Tracey Follows, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrophy
Verb
Not moving your joints takes a toll over the long haul, because the surrounding muscles will atrophy (get smaller and weaker).
—Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 9 May 2024
Its economic position is parlous, its demographic situation is miserable and its military capacities have atrophied, and most of the chest-thumping about a revival of European power is empty talk and fantasy politics.
—Ross Douthat, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025
Noun
Schumer also extended an invitation to Emma Larson, who received treatment for her spinal muscular atrophy due to a reimbursement from the National Institutes of Health, as well as Jessica Martinez and Ana Medina Garcia, recipients of Medicaid from New York.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 4 Mar. 2025
From over-reliance and skill atrophy to growing emotional attachment and isolation, people are already reshaping their lives around AI.
—Tracey Follows, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrophy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrophy
Verb
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That volume is masking deteriorating demand from key sectors - particularly domestic manufacturing, which drives more than 60% of big rig ton miles, and ocean imports.—
Lisa Baertlein,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
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Armed violence fuels nutrition crisis for Haitian families Famine is looming in Haiti as violence between armed groups continues, alongside extreme poverty and a deteriorating economy.—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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These abnormal build-ups disrupt the function of brain cells, and lead to the degeneration and ultimately death of the neurons that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is involved in movement, memory and motivation.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
17 Jan. 2025
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However, researchers have found that a slow neurological degeneration occurs in the disease, partially independent of inflammation.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Muir declined to speak to The Athletic about the evolution of Stanford athletics.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
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Both the Probation Department and DMH declined to comment.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2025
Noun
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This may further contribute to a deterioration in hard data and usher in an economic recession.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2025
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Urban trees have also been found to slow the deterioration of streets and reduce crime.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The administration’s threat of tariffs on pharmaceuticals risks political backlash, worsening drug shortages and future battles over who pays.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
22 Apr. 2025
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Some evidence suggests that creatine may worsen mania symptoms in people with bipolar disorder.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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One hundred and thirteen years later, much of the great vessel — and what’s left of its splendors — remains in the same spot it was found four decades ago in 1985, though decay and human interference have changed its form over time.—
Nicole Briese,
People.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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Water fluoridation has been proven to be so effective at preventing tooth decay that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) named it one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century, a time during which Americans' life expectancies rose by 30 years.—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA Today,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The ongoing humanitarian crisis is worsened by widespread poverty, food insecurity, and a crumbling health care system, displacing over a million people from their homes in search of safety.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
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Here’s what students and educators across the state told us about the floods and leaks, overcrowding and inaccessibility, safety and outages, crumbling buildings and heating and cooling problems that impact every part of their day.—
Becca Savransky,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Her friend Alice is descending a dimly lit stairway.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
20 Apr. 2025
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In an era when political discourse so often descends into outrage and division — on cable news, in Congress, even in school board races — the quiet decency shown in Skokie feels all the more remarkable.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Atrophy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrophy. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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