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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in degeneration
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
-
Disney officials declined to comment on individual plans out of respect for all guests.—
Jasmine Mendez
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
12 July 2025
-
Cal Fire officials declined to comment on whether either of the companies has had prior violations or enforcement actions, citing the active investigation.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
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 can lead to more frequent awakenings, shallower sleep and worsened airway instability, resulting in more apnea events.—
Matthew Glasser,
ABC News,
30 June 2025
-
Sweden reintroduced a gender-neutral draft in 2017 citing worsening security conditions, while Norway became the first NATO country to implement gender-equal conscription in 2013.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
Sections of peeling bark or cracks in the bark can signal infestation or decay.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
30 June 2025
-
This reflects the idea of decay or rot associated with damp, earthy conditions.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
But Paxton's sizeable lead could crumble in light of his divorce proceedings.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
-
Unfortunately, countless family businesses crumble—not for financial reasons, but because of missteps in preparation.—
Anatoly Iofe,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Hours earlier, another Pride celebration at Washing Square Park descended into chaos after a false report of gunfire and an individual deploying bear spray into a crowd sparked a stampede of people running for their lives.—
Bradford Betz,
FOXNews.com,
30 June 2025
-
The New Shepard rocket, the company's fully reusable and fully autonomous spacecraft, separated from the capsule and returned to Earth ahead of the astronauts, safely descending and touching down on a landing pad not far from the launch site.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
29 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Atrophy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrophy. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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