atrophied

verb

Definition of atrophiednext
past tense of atrophy
as in deteriorated
to become worse or of less value in the years following the closing of the last textile mill, the town atrophied

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of atrophied Building that processing infrastructure at commercial scale in the US involves not only capital expenditure but also workforce development in a sector where domestic technical expertise has atrophied. — Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 25 May 2026 Their defense industry and defense forces have atrophied. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026 While limited-government instincts seem to have atrophied for many Republicans, Duffy has retained the good sense of opposing government bailouts for private companies. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 3 May 2026 These periods of wealth aligned with higher oil production, which has since atrophied. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026 What if the act of getting back onstage becomes proof that the muscle has atrophied or that someone’s sense of humor got stuck a decade ago? — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025 The story has gained ascendancy as a vehicle for understanding the world while the ability to interpret narrative has atrophied. — Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025 At birth, Holc weighed 6 pounds, 6 3/4 ounces and suffered from hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a fatal heart defect in which the heart’s left chamber is missing or atrophied. — Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025 The 2022 invasion reinvigorated a domestic defense industry that had atrophied beyond recognition since Soviet times. — Tamar Jacoby, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrophied
  1. deteriorated
  2. crumbled
  3. worsened
  4. descended
  5. declined
Verb
  • But several of them moving in the same direction tell me that the quality of the rally has deteriorated.
    — Thomas Hartmann, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • As the stalemate between the city and Angels owner Arte Moreno grew more entrenched, the condition of Angel Stadium deteriorated.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of deteriorated
Verb
  • Wednesday’s ugly loss, in which Yoshinobu Yamamoto faltered after a strong start and the Dodgers crumbled late despite taking a 3-0 first-inning lead, was the latest example.
    — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • More than 3,000 people are still missing across both countries, as complex search efforts continue in remote areas where roads and other infrastructure has crumbled.
    — Bhadra Sharma, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of crumbled
Verb
  • The affordability of long-term care has worsened for middle-class Americans, according to a March report from the AARP Public Policy Institute, a policy research arm within AARP, an advocacy group for older adults.
    — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Conflict between the government and rebel groups in the eastern region, attacks on health workers and an intense population movement also have worsened the outbreak.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of worsened
Verb
  • Not long afterward, two dozen Border Patrol agents descended on Roosevelt High School as class was getting out, prompting a confrontation in which the agents deployed pepper spray and arrested four people, including a teacher.
    — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • This year, more than 4,200 shows descended on Edinburgh, with artists hailing from 74 countries.
    — Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of descended
Verb
  • Order could reshape federal wolf protections Gray wolves were first listed as endangered in 1967 after populations declined because of hunting and other human activities.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The Federal Bureau of Investigation declined to provide further comment on the case to Fortune.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of declined

Browse Nearby Words

atrocity
atrophied
atrophies
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Cite this Entry

“Atrophied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrophied. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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