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
  • The Associated Press OSLO, Norway -- Crown Prince Haakon visited his father King Harald of Norway on Monday at the hospital, after the king's health deteriorated over the weekend, public broadcaster NRK reported.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Her defense says she was prescribed 13 medications over four months as her mental health deteriorated.
    — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of deteriorated
Verb
  • Since Travis disappeared from the huddle, that empire has crumbled like it had been built on his shoulders all along.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Right-wing Christians were no longer in power; their political movement had crumbled.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of crumbled
Verb
  • Rasonque cut the risk of death by 60%, and patients went longer before their disease progressed and before pain and quality of life worsened.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Authorities in Indonesia, meanwhile, are racing to control wildfires that have dramatically worsened air-quality levels even before fire season typically peaks.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 25 Aug. 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
  • Trump has declined so far to endorse a successor, opting to keep his cards close ahead of what’s likely to be a bitter race.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2026
  • When asked about the lack of any tributes or the evening’s plans to honor Nolan, the Ocean Springs School District declined to comment.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of declined

Browse Nearby Words

atrocity
atrophied
atrophies
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Atrophied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrophied. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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