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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in degeneration
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of atrophy
Emma Ashford, Foreign Affairs, 18 Feb. 2025
In March 2022, a doctor in Philadelphia explained that one of my vocal cords was atrophying.
—Michael Snyder, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2024
Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 24 Jan. 2025
But like phone-call readiness and entertaining voice mail delivery, those skills atrophy too.
—Melissa Kirsch, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrophy
Verb
Many of the mechanisms that had previously assisted in mediating tensions between NATO and Russia, such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and various arms-control forums, have atrophied or been allowed to dissolve.
—Emma Ashford, Foreign Affairs, 18 Feb. 2025
In March 2022, a doctor in Philadelphia explained that one of my vocal cords was atrophying.
—Michael Snyder, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2024
Noun
Here are some common causes: Endometrial Atrophy Endometrial atrophy is a condition when less estrogen is circulating in the body, such as during menopause.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 24 Jan. 2025
But like phone-call readiness and entertaining voice mail delivery, those skills atrophy too.
—Melissa Kirsch, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrophy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrophy
Verb
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Over the next two decades, Boyer and Kochan were inseparable — even as Kochan’s cancer progressed and her health deteriorated.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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Based on the aforementioned trends, employment outcomes haven’t gotten better over the past decade and are likely to deteriorate further.—
Ryan Craig,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Our study revealed that the supergene shows only minimal signs of degeneration.—
Donna L. Maney,
Scientific American,
18 Feb. 2025
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The virus spreads through contaminated food, water, or direct contact with an infected individual, attacking nerve cells in the spinal cord and leading to muscle weakness, degeneration, and paralysis.—
Tim Ryan,
Newsweek,
17 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Lone Jack Police Chief Tim Cosner, who took the helm after the 2021 crash, declined to be interviewed about why the department’s policy changed.—
Bill Lukitsch,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2025
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North Little Rock police sought to charge Mary Lee Orsini with murder, but a grand jury declined to indict her -- and McArthur was credited with helping Orsini remain a free woman.—
Tony Holt,
Arkansas Online,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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As leaders in the industry who have spent countless hours underground repairing failing gas lines, our licensed gas contractors have witnessed firsthand the deterioration of our state’s natural gas infrastructure.—
Harley Flack,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Apr. 2025
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Not spending enough time in the two deep stages of slumber might speed up the deterioration of parts of the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease, a new study found.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Eventually, those with ALS often experience trouble talking, walking, and swallowing, and the symptoms worsen over time.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2025
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Rolling back rules will take time, but America’s air quality could worsen in the interim.—
Zoë Schlanger,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Since then, the levels have been adjusted to a maximum of 0.7 ppm or 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water, which is considered optimal for preventing tooth decay.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2025
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Weak or absent pulse Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia Some people with severe arterial blockages develop chronic limb-threatening ischemia (insufficient blood flow), which can cause severe, constant pain, gangrene (tissue decay), and even limb loss (amputation).—
Alicen Nelson MD,
Verywell Health,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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When workers suspect the game is rigged in favor of the boss's nephew or the CEO's daughter, the belief that hard work leads to recognition—the backbone of productive workplaces—begins to crumble.—
Jonathan H. Westover,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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The Wild, who are crumbling at the seams, fell to 1-4-2 in their past seven thanks to an 0-1-2 road trip.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The country has descended into violent disarray in the forthcoming thriller feature All the Lost Ones.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2025
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However, the meeting descends into a chaotic argument between Zelensky and Trump after Vice President JD Vance attacks Zelensky and suggests Ukraine should use diplomacy to end the war, accusing him of not wanting peace.—
Antoinette Radford,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Atrophy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrophy. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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