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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of atrophy
IEEE Spectrum, 29 Nov. 2011
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
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 3 Feb. 2025
Perry, the 30-year-old donkey, fought pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, laminitis, arthritis and muscle atrophy leading up to his death.
—Krystal Nurse, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrophy
Verb
Thanks to automation, which had taken over many of their routine tasks, some of their skills had atrophied.
—IEEE Spectrum, 29 Nov. 2011
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
Noun
Muscle atrophy is a common ailment that astronauts must face off, although drugs have been shown to lessen its effects, and recent research has found that microgravity can also damage astronauts' eyesight.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 3 Feb. 2025
Perry, the 30-year-old donkey, fought pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, laminitis, arthritis and muscle atrophy leading up to his death.
—Krystal Nurse, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atrophy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrophy
Verb
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Experts noted that the election took place in a deeply divided nation, where citizens were split on how best to confront surging crime and a deteriorating economy.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
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The ministry said that due to the sweeping tariffs imposed by the U.S., as well as the U.S.-China trade war, the growth outlook for both the U.S. and China will deteriorate.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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However, researchers have found that a slow neurological degeneration occurs in the disease, partially independent of inflammation.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
6 Apr. 2025
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The Ziegfeld Ballroom sparkled as the stars aligned—both in the sky and in the room—to raise critical funds for families affected by frontotemporal degeneration (FTD).—
Vogue,
Vogue,
6 Apr. 2025
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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Submersible visits over the years have shown an increase in its deterioration, with rust and microorganisms eating away at the ship's metal. Dives over more than a decade have shown the ship is falling apart.—
George Petras,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2025
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That could mean that rate cuts are pushed off until much later this year or even delayed until next year if that deterioration takes time to materialize.—
Colby Smith,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 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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Editors’ Picks As the helicopter lost power and began to descend over the water, the pilot inflated pontoons that kept the aircraft upright in the water.—
Patrick McGeehan,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
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Angry over the tagless intruders' prior antics in pillaging their resources, a horde of players descend upon the USS Callister crew, who flee while digital Nanette makes her way to the engine in the hopes of finding a solve.—
Joey Nolfi,
EW.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Atrophy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrophy. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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