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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of atrophy
Lily Scherlis, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
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
Nik Popli, TIME, 4 Mar. 2025
Labrador retrievers are prone to a degenerative eye disease known as progressive retinal atrophy, while Cavalier King Charles spaniels often develop a heart condition called mitral valve disease.
—Emily Anthes, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrophy
Verb
The idea that our human connections have atrophied over the past few years is by no means entirely wrong.
—Lily Scherlis, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
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
Noun
Medicaid recipients Jessica Martinez and Ana Medina Garcia, cancer survivors and recipients of Medicaid, and Emma Larson, who received a lifesaving treatment for her spinal muscular atrophy due to a reimbursement from the National Institutes of Health, were also invited by Schumer.
—Nik Popli, TIME, 4 Mar. 2025
Labrador retrievers are prone to a degenerative eye disease known as progressive retinal atrophy, while Cavalier King Charles spaniels often develop a heart condition called mitral valve disease.
—Emily Anthes, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrophy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrophy
Verb
-
While more durable than the original Irish linen that encased the wings when the KC Eaglet rolled out of the factory on Aug. 12, 1930, all fabrics will deteriorate over time from exposure to the sun.—
Mike Hendricks,
Kansas City Star,
21 May 2025
-
Their mental health deteriorated, which reinforced the officer’s excuse to keep them deadlocked.—
Justyna Rzewinski,
New York Daily News,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
Histological examination showed no signs of retinal degeneration, even in individuals likely several hundreds of years old.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
-
Moral degeneration accompanies the physical; lying is one of the outstanding characteristics, probably due to lack of moral equilibrium.—
Wade Davis,
Rolling Stone,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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While the cost of groceries, on average, declined, the report found the price of dining out got more expensive and is up about 4% from the past year.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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Revenue is expected to decline between 4 percent and 5 percent, which anticipates a drop of 4 to 5 percent in North America, a mid-teen percent decline in Asia-Pacific and high-single-digit growth in EMEA.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
From the start, the idea was to revitalize Eagle Crest Plaza, which became blighted due to years of neglect and deterioration by rainwater detention.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2025
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Conversely, Oklahoma and Iowa exhibited the fastest doubling of death rates after age 35—a sign of more rapid health deterioration among their populations.—
Jordan King
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
Verb
-
What To Know According to the study published in Communications Earth & Environment, the states with the highest mortality rates from wildfire smoke worsened by climate change between 2006 and 2020 were in the West.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 2025
-
Delays also worsened, with 78.1% of flights arriving on time last year, down from 78.3% in 2023.—
Alain Sherter,
CBS News,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
The structure’s decay was captured in numerous photos, and demolition seemed imminent when the decision was made to rebuild it in conjunction with the new Power & Light District.—
Randy Mason,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2025
-
The American manufacturing sector is reviving after decades of decay.—
Greg Rosalsky,
NPR,
13 May 2025
Verb
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One of the five Venezuelan opposition activists who recently escaped after more than a year confined inside the Argentine Embassy in Caracas says their dramatic rescue underscores the crumbling state of the Nicolas Maduro regime’s security forces.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2025
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Prosecutors say Read struck John O’Keefe with her Lexus SUV and left him to freeze and die on the front lawn of 34 Fairview Road in Canton in the early morning of Jan. 29, 2022, after yet another argument in their crumbling relationship.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2025
Verb
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Over 12 days, actors, directors, producers, influencers and the like will descend onto the carpeted steps — not just to promote their latest feature film at the high temple of world cinema, but also to turn a look.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
14 May 2025
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The haunting Frendo the Clown, which had been previously glimpsed dispatching teens in a potentially supernatural manner, descends on a farmhouse party filled with drunk teens.—
William Earl,
Variety,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Atrophy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrophy. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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