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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of atrophy
Lydia Depillis, New York Times, 30 May 2024
Rodriguez said the fingers on his right hand weren’t working properly, his muscles twitched, and his right hand atrophied.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 7 May 2024
Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Moreover, extensive use of technology could be detrimental to human operators’ skills and knowledge, which might atrophy if not regularly exercised.
—Vikram Barhat, CNBC, 30 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for atrophy 
Verb
Over time, the federal government abandoned a policy of managing production to support prices, prompting growers to become more export-oriented while local distribution networks atrophied.
—Lydia Depillis, New York Times, 30 May 2024
Rodriguez said the fingers on his right hand weren’t working properly, his muscles twitched, and his right hand atrophied.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 7 May 2024
Noun
The following year, Willis was also diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, a brain disorder in which lobes atrophy and shrink.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Moreover, extensive use of technology could be detrimental to human operators’ skills and knowledge, which might atrophy if not regularly exercised.
—Vikram Barhat, CNBC, 30 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for atrophy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrophy
Verb
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But with the current war, the humanitarian situation in the camp has deteriorated, leading to the official confirmation of famine in August.Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 21 Dec. 2024
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The service said travel conditions could deteriorate enough to slow traffic, and evening commutes would be affected.Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Overweight or obese cats are more exposed to the risk of diseases like cancer, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, hypertension, osteoarthritis and faster degeneration of affected joints, and urinary bladder stones, as well as anesthetic complications.Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
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New hope for patients with spinal cord injuries or degeneration Each year, up to half a million people worldwide suffer a spinal cord injury—and countless others are impacted by the devastating effects.NBC Universal, NBC News, 7 July 2023
Verb
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Last year marked the seventh consecutive year of declining births, despite the relaxation of China's one-child policy to allow two children in 2016 and three in 2021.Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
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In any case, a company with declining revenues, earnings and free cash flow may not even be able to sustain its current dividend, let alone grow it to keep pace with future inflation.Michael Khouw, CNBC, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The noun is used to describe the deterioration of a person's mental or intellectual state, sometimes seen a symptom of consuming too much material, specifically online content.Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
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The events after injecting the substance turn into a battleground as Elisabeth’s disregard for the rules governing her and Sue’s shared body required to coexist leads to her deterioration.Robert Lang, Deadline, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In fact, a 2016 study found that blue light worsened migraine pain.Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 17 Dec. 2024
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Yet heroin insinuated the lives of Stein and Harry at the peak of their success in the early 1980s, and the group’s fortunes faded as the addiction worsened.Jem Aswad, Variety, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
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In a way, the technique is a brand new type of particle detector, and could one day be used to measure more elusive decay products, such as neutrinos, or even dark matter.Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Dec. 2024
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Context: In 1945, U.S. cities began adding fluoride to drinking water to fight tooth decay.Axios, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Roasted or sautéed garlic can add a savory depth, fresh or dried herbs can add complexity, freshness, and pops of color, grated cheese can add an indulgent finish, and crumbled bacon can add a salty kick and textural contrast.Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 24 Dec. 2024
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His boss, Herr Knock (Simon McBurney), dispatches him to Orlok’s castle so that the Count can buy a crumbling old pile in Germany.Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In two weeks’ time, the best women’s tennis players in the world will descend on Melbourne for the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of the season and the first tennis milestone for 2025.Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 28 Dec. 2024
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The excitement and cheer that typically descends on the West Bank during Christmas week were nowhere to be found.Jalal Bwaitel, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near atrophy
Cite this Entry
“Atrophy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrophy. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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