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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as in degeneration
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of atrophy
Rush Doshi, Foreign Affairs, 29 Nov. 2024
In a weightless environment, muscles aren't used as much, which can lead to them weakening and atrophying.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2024
Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
In 2023, the Willis family shared that Bruce had received a more specific diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a progressive condition which causes the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain to atrophy.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrophy
Verb
But the foundations of that strength have atrophied, especially since the end of the Cold War.
—Rush Doshi, Foreign Affairs, 29 Nov. 2024
In a weightless environment, muscles aren't used as much, which can lead to them weakening and atrophying.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2024
Noun
When our companion always agrees, our critical thinking muscles atrophy.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
In 2023, the Willis family shared that Bruce had received a more specific diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a progressive condition which causes the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain to atrophy.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrophy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrophy
Verb
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Read: The chaos in higher ed is only getting started The situation could deteriorate if current doctoral students start jumping ship.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2025
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So organs deteriorate while doctor after doctor rejects them.—
Brian M. Rosenthal,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Changes in metabolism, appetite, and mobility could signal underlying brain degeneration.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
12 Feb. 2025
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While chubby cats may look cute, obesity can shorten their life and expose them to elevated risks of cancer, diabetes mellitus, heart disease and hypertension, osteoarthritis and faster degeneration of affected joints, urinary bladder stones, and anesthetic complications.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
Newsweek,
18 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In fact, on February 13th, the day Kennedy was confirmed, President Trump issued an executive order establishing the President’s Make America Healthy Again Commission to address rising rates of chronic diseases and declining life expectancies.—
Brandon Kochkodin,
Forbes,
18 Feb. 2025
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That era began in the late 1960s, blazed in the '70s, stayed on pace in the '80s, and survived in an unevenly declining way through Tucker, Mike Huckabee, Mike Beebe... Subscribe to continue reading, or log in.—
John Brummett,
arkansasonline.com,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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His environmental project launched the Institute’s research via an extensive study of the relationship between business practices and environmental deterioration.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
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Shot over five tumultuous years, the film traces Noam’s journey in tandem with the region’s steady deterioration.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Many are barely able to pay their staff livable wages, causing rampant turnover and a scarcity of educators, further worsening educational outcomes.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2025
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According to the Financial Health Network’s Financial Health Pulse 2024 report, 70% of American households remain financially unhealthy with day-to-day financial realities worsening for many.—
Shahar Ziv,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The trooper announced her presence and entered the home and noted there was a strong odor of decay coming from both doorways, according to the warrant affidavit.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
19 Feb. 2025
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Mutations in another group of genes cause weaker tooth enamel, raising the risk of decay.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The show from Sister and Universal International Studios is set in a near-future Margate, against a backdrop of soaring inequality, as Chance discovers life and love while being forced to fight for her family and friends’ survival in a world that’s crumbling around her.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2025
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Typically under him, Newcastle are not a team that crumbles after conceding.—
Liam Tharme,
The Athletic,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The festivities continued well past midnight, with the newlyweds and their guests descending the mountain in jeeps under the stars.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2025
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Arctic air from Canada has descended on the Central and Eastern U.S., delivering record-breaking cold.—
German Lopez,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Atrophy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrophy. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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