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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

atrophy

2 of 2

noun

as in degeneration

Related Words

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

The Jersey boys had been sidelined from touring since 2022 after frontman Jon Bon Jovi was diagnosed with an atrophying vocal cord. — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 July 2026 What is your advice for people who are trying to either develop or redevelop this atrophying muscle of curiosity and attention? — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 26 June 2026

Noun

Prioritize Strength Training Research suggests that without a consistent stimulus from being challenged to work, muscles tend to atrophy, or waste away. — Kristen Gasnick, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2026 The approval marks another step forward for patients with spinal muscular atrophy, a rare and progressive disease that destroys nerve cells that control speaking, breathing, and walking. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for atrophy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrophy

Verb

Netanyahu faces an international arrest warrant, experts have accused Israel of genocide, and Israel’s image has further deteriorated with a spike in settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

— Josef Federman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Their return on investment becomes clear when conditions deteriorate and the organization is still able to operate, invest and make decisions on its own terms.

— Erik Clarke, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of deteriorate

Noun

By contrast, the same injury in an older adult may be affected by reduced balance, lower bone density, tendon degeneration, arthritis, drug side effects or an unrecognized fracture.

— Michael Swartzon, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
The genetic disorder causes degeneration of the light sensing cells in the retina, which can degrade peripheral and night vision so much that patients can become legally blind by young adulthood.

— O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of degeneration

Verb

Central bank holdings at the New York Fed declined 40 tonnes in August, Goldman added, while holdings at the Bank of England rose 46 tonnes.

— Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
For this story, however, the district declined to comment due to Ortiz’s lawsuit, which is ongoing.

— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of decline

Verb

As ocean levels rise, waves crash farther inland and the coast continues to crumble, Southern California is on track to lose 30 to 70% of its beaches over the next several decades.

— Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Jarman pointed out, rightly, that in the 1630s, the walls wouldn’t have been crumbling at all.

— Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of crumble

Noun

But he was plagued by guilt over his ancestor’s role in the trials, and felt compelled to explore themes of human character, greed, and social decay through his work.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
About 1 in 5 adults ages 20 to 64 has at least one untreated cavity, and nearly all adults 65 and older have dealt with tooth decay at some point, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

— Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of decay

Noun

The hurricane center said the storm's intensity could fluctuate over the next few days but would likely maintain hurricane strength through Thursday, with gradual weakening forecast thereafter.

— CBS News, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
The networks learn to recognize patterns by strengthening and weakening connections between nodes in response to training data.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of weakening

Browse Nearby Words

atrophies

atrophy

atrophying

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Atrophy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrophy. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of atrophy

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on atrophy

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes