as in deteriorating
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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Recent Examples of atrophying
The real-life consequences of automation atrophying human critical skills are already well-established.
—
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrophying
Verb
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Meanwhile, the situation on the island is deteriorating quickly.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
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The latest round of talks also come in the aftermath of a major anti-regime uprising in Iran, in which protests -- initially sparked by the deteriorating economic conditions inside the country -- spread nationwide.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When a production crew arrives to film an alien invasion movie on the crumbling backlot, the janitor decides to vanish alongside the studio itself.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
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With increasing pressure on its energy systems, Cuba is crumbling as energy blackouts throughout the nation have significantly affected its vital tourism industry, food supply and prices, and public and personal transportation.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Gripped by a worsening economic crisis, Cuba’s government recently adopted rationing measures to protect essential services and ration fuel supplies for key sectors.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
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The five preceding episodes depicted Louie’s worsening health, with Harden keeping a dignified smile on Louie’s face but also moving a little slower and admitting to more pain.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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According to the Iowa Cancer Registry, lung cancer incidence rates are declining slower in Iowa than in other states.—
Cami Koons,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
5 Feb. 2026
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Measles-vaccination rates have been steadily declining for several years; since last January, the country has logged its two largest measles epidemics in more than three decades.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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New York might be painfully cold, but that hasn’t stopped the fashion pack from dressing up and descending on the city’s icy thoroughfares.—
Jacqueline Kilikita,
Refinery29,
12 Feb. 2026
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Helen could already picture Jeanne’s students descending with their parents.—
Allegra Goodman,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Atrophying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrophying. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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