ATROPHY Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

atrophy 1 of 2

verb

Definition of atrophy

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

atrophy

2 of 2

noun

as in degeneration

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Dissimilar Words

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 atrophy

Verb

Spending more than six months in space comes with other potential health risks, including the weakening and loss of bone and atrophying muscles. — Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 26 May 2026 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

Noun

For millions of people with geographic atrophy, the speck in their vision is far more literal and can eventually lead to blindness. — New Atlas, 5 Aug. 2026 Bengals may be affected by heart disease, progressive retinal atrophy and pyruvate kinase deficiency. — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for atrophy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrophy

Verb

Behrouz Mehri | Afp | Getty Images France's deteriorating public finances and political deadlock are becoming a growing concern for bond investors, with borrowing costs near financial-crisis-era highs as another difficult budget battle looms.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Israel has seen its own relations with Turkey deteriorate during Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s more than two-decade rule.

— Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of deteriorate

Verb

However, entering June, crude prices pulled back significantly, while retail gasoline prices declined at a markedly slower pace.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
At home several center-right parties initially declined to join his coalition, illustrating the challenge of uniting the broader Brazilian right behind his candidacy.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of decline

Noun

The City is aware of deterioration to the pavers surrounding the memorial related to the seawall conditions in this section of the Riverwalk.

— Bri Buckley, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
The deterioration in DeepMind’s talent flows coincided with the lab tightening its publication rules, Hurd said, something that Zeki researchers say may have weakened one of the lab’s most important draws for research-minded staff.

— Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of deterioration

Verb

For decades, Mamdani’s predecessors have found the only choice more politically unpalatable than letting the whole three-layer cake of infrastructure crumble away is trying to stop it from crumbling.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 24 Aug. 2026
The crumbling structure carries roughly 130,000 vehicles daily — of which some 13,000 are trucks — and has been in serious need of repair since the de Blasio administration.

— Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of crumble

Noun

In a total power blackout, the plant removes residual decay heat through natural convection rather than emergency electrical pumps or operator intervention.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026
Waytowich said crime is a symptom of much deeper problems on the north side of Jacksonville, from neighborhood decay to generational trauma and lack of job opportunities.

— Yona Gavino, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of decay

Verb

Ford said in an interview published Monday that Canada should be prepared to cut off electricity exports to the United States if the trade war worsens, putting a potentially powerful weapon on the table.

— Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
According to a recent survey published by Deloitte, consumer sentiment remains shaky, with 57% of Americans expecting the economy to worsen in the next six months — the highest figure the company has reported since 2020.

— Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of worsen

Noun

Asked about demand amid geopolitical uncertainty and extreme heat in Europe, Kirby said the airline had seen no meaningful weakening.

— Doyinsola Oladipo, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Forecasters said Lala would cross the waters of the marine national monument for a few days at hurricane strength despite some gradual weakening.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of weakening

Browse Nearby Words

atrophies

atrophy

atrophying

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“Atrophy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrophy. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of atrophy

verb

noun

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