as in deteriorating
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
Example Sentences
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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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Mann’s Heat starred Al Pacino as a hardened Los Angeles cop named Vincent Hanna who, ignoring his deteriorating personal life, is obsessed with tracking down career criminal Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro), who wants to pull off one last heist before retiring.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Oct. 2025
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Many remain acutely aware of how their abilities are deteriorating.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The recent protests were triggered by the deaths of several pregnant women following routine C-sections in the coastal city of Agadir, spotlighting the crumbling healthcare system.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
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With gloomy-yet-gorgeous accordion melodies driven against acoustic guitars and a tololoche, the song showcases the vulnerability of a crumbling relationship through an emotional dialogue between two lovers.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The lack of monthly data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics hasn’t kept Wall Street completely in the dark on what’s happening in the job market as private sources indicate a worsening picture, according Moody’s Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi.—
Danny Bakst,
Fortune,
5 Oct. 2025
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And the arrival of some suspicious new neighbors presents an opportunity that solves one problem while worsening the other.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Schools are facing mounting challenges — from funding pressures to declining enrollment and stagnant student achievement.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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Low midsingle-digit gains are anticipated due to rising prices from tariffs and inflation, declining consumer confidence, economic uncertainties and potential stockouts.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Freight rate collapse continues All the carriers’ operational shifts come as freight rates keep descending.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
29 Sep. 2025
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While the enemies and level design, as well as the progression of the descending route is a clear inversion and iteration of the original, the second half of the game feels downright experimental.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Atrophying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrophying. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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