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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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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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
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Israel-Turkey relations deteriorated in 2010 after Israeli naval commandos intercepted a humanitarian flotilla attempting to breach the blockade on the Gaza Strip.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
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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County officials declined to comment on the civil lawsuit.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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The hospital declined to say whether Ikner was one of their patients.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
19 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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The pitching staff began to crumble beneath a lack of reliable depth.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
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Both gentlemen were trying to win their first Green Jacket. DeChambeau crumbled while McIlroy had a rollercoaster kind of day, prevailing to win The Masters and complete the career grand slam.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 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 22 Apr. 2025.
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