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
What is your advice for people who are trying to either develop or redevelop this atrophying muscle of curiosity and attention?
—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
26 June 2026
And to society, the implications of such blatant cronyism could be sweeping, from atrophying regulation and loss of accountability to further concentration of power and money among the wealthiest people on Earth.
—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
18 June 2026
Language skills at the department are also atrophying.
—
Byron Tau,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
Horvath blames educational technology (EdTech) for these atrophying skillsets, arguing that at the turn of the 21th century and through its first decade and a half, tech companies and advocates pushed a false narrative that the education system was broken, but computers could fix it.
—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
1 Mar. 2026
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
26 June 2026
And to society, the implications of such blatant cronyism could be sweeping, from atrophying regulation and loss of accountability to further concentration of power and money among the wealthiest people on Earth.
—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
18 June 2026
Language skills at the department are also atrophying.
—
Byron Tau,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
Horvath blames educational technology (EdTech) for these atrophying skillsets, arguing that at the turn of the 21th century and through its first decade and a half, tech companies and advocates pushed a false narrative that the education system was broken, but computers could fix it.
—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
1 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrophying
Verb
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That enables Cadence’s system, which is supervised by physicians, to alert a clinician when a patient is deteriorating before a stroke or heart attack, for example.
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By the time the kids make it to the Gullet, the situation is deteriorating.
Verb
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In the temple's crumbling courtyard, little remains… mostly empty pedestals scattered among the Sralao trees.
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This medieval village was built onto a cliff overlooking the sea, where you can get lost in the narrow lanes among crumbling buildings with laundry dangling on clotheslines.
Verb
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Accelerating these efforts is crucial to protect children from worsening climate impacts.
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Over several days, the boy was taken to clinics and emergency rooms as doctors searched for the cause of his worsening symptoms, the report said.
Verb
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After years of declining sales, American Girl dolls are seeing a resurgence.
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The state also has goals, including some that have been in place since 2012, that set declining limits on smog-causing pollutants and required automakers to sell increasing percentages of electric and hybrid vehicles through 2025.
Verb
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Several men with guns are seen descending upon Dutton Ranch as Rip and crew, including Everett, get ready for battle.
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Around the time that the drone appeared, two aircraft began following the Fiorella, descending toward it, climbing away, and circling.
Cite this Entry
“Atrophying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrophying. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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