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 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 Their defense industry and defense forces have atrophied. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026 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 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 The 2022 invasion reinvigorated a domestic defense industry that had atrophied beyond recognition since Soviet times. — Tamar Jacoby, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrophied
  1. deteriorated
  2. crumbled
  3. worsened
  4. descended
  5. declined
Verb
  • Israel and Turkey were once close allies, but ties deteriorated after Erdogan, whose party is rooted in Turkey’s Islamic movement, came to power.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • The situation in Haiti has deteriorated since armed groups took control of most of Port-au-Prince in 2024.
    — Tirana Hassan, Time, 26 June 2026
Definition of deteriorated
Verb
  • Today Twain would be startled by the passivity of a once-mighty Congress that has all but crumbled in the face of pressure from the White House.
    — Ron Chernow, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
  • The Venezuelan government had housed them in a building in La Guaira that crumbled.
    — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Definition of crumbled
Verb
  • Now a controversial study claims that working from home worsened mental health.
    — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • The American pope has prioritized church unity and healing tensions with traditionalists that worsened during the Pope Francis pontificate.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026
Definition of worsened
Verb
  • Nearby, groups descended on a shopping center on 32nd Street, emptying trash cans and tossing merchandise from the Pavilions grocery store into the parking lot.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • For decades, the top players in the sport have descended on this town in upstate New York known for its mineral springs and top-notch horse racing.
    — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of descended
Verb
  • The location for the bronze statue on the Wimbledon grounds hasn't been announced and Williams-Ellis declined to offer specifics about the pose.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
  • In doing so, Valdez, like fellow successful DSA New York Congressional candidate Avila Chevalier, declined to endorse Jeffries as minority leader or even Speaker if the Democrats take back the House.
    — Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 4 July 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 9 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on atrophied

Nglish: Translation of atrophied for Spanish Speakers

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