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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Instead, the property has passed hands from private owner to private owner, hidden from view off a lonely winding road, slowly deteriorating over the years.—
Amanda Rosa
October 23,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
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Grid operators are warning of steep increases in electricity demand for the first time in decades, leading utilities to race to expand capacity by reviving plans for natural-gas plants or building new ones, and, in some regions, even extending the life of deteriorating coal facilities.—
Sharon Goldman,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In addition to rampant inflation, goods shortages, and a crumbling labor market, the liquid reserves held in Russia’s National Wealth Fund continue to decline precipitously, down to approximately $35 billion from $117 billion three years ago.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
22 Oct. 2025
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The dilapidated wooden trim and sagging porticos were spruced up a few years ago after preservationists complained to the Landmarks Preservation Commission, but the upstairs windows reveal glimpses of peeling paint, crumbling plaster, and collapsing ceilings inside.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At the time, Jassy attributed the job cuts to a worsening global economic outlook.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
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Speaking from Toronto, where he is currently based, Persaud emphasized that while pre-storm aid delivery is limited due to worsening conditions, the real challenge will begin after the hurricane passes.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The documents contained details of disciplinary action and indicated that Sherrill was prohibited from participating in her 1994 graduation ceremony after declining to identify classmates implicated in a cheating incident.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
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The country’s bear population is increasing, perhaps because the human population is declining and abandoning rural settlements.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Two men, one wearing a yellow vest and a black face covering, and a second wearing all black and a motorbike helmet, can be seen in the video quickly descending in the lift positioned at the side of the museum.—
Zacharie Petit,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
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On one end, the structure has large terrace-like steps descending into the earth.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Kansas City Star,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Atrophying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrophying. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
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