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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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

Employers, especially people who may not have taken time off themselves for care-giving responsibilities, don’t necessarily recognize that your skills are not atrophying. — Dr. Michelle Penelope King, Forbes.com, 21 May 2026 And to society, the implications of such blatant cronyism could be sweeping, from atrophying regulation and loss of accountability to further concentration of power and money among the wealthiest people on Earth. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 18 June 2026

Noun

Patients typically develop difficulty swallowing, weak fingers and wrists, and atrophy of the forearms and thigh muscles. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 5 June 2026 Over time, some worry, the next generation of mathematicians may suffer from a form of intellectual atrophy, unable to think outside the AI box that trained them. — Benjamin Skuse, IEEE Spectrum, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for atrophy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for atrophy

Verb

They can also be used for de-aging characters, creating performances in different languages, or preserving the voice or likeness of an actor whose health is deteriorating, as was the case with CAA client Eric Dane.

— Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 6 July 2026
Though concrete is a durable surface, concrete driveway repair is needed when the surface deteriorates and develops cracks over the years.

— Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026

Definition of deteriorate

Noun

The finding challenges long-standing anatomical assumptions and links spinal lymphatic dysfunction to neurological disorders and vertebral degeneration, reframing just how central this network is to whole-body health.

— Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 29 June 2026
Research suggests that curcumin may help reduce inflammatory markers involved in joint discomfort and cartilage degeneration.

— Caitlin Beale, Health, 29 June 2026

Definition of degeneration

Noun

But nothing competes with the painful deterioration of her sight after contracting scarlet fever.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026
In addition, city officials can now require owners to install security measures to help protect vacant buildings from further deterioration or trespassing.

— Brian Maass, CBS News, 2 July 2026

Definition of deterioration

Verb

Jan Paul van Hecke of the Netherlands has been involved in two scraps already, the latest when he was hit while going for a header and crumbled, perhaps exaggerating a tad, after Morocco's Azzedine Ounahi challenged the header, as well.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 June 2026
Survivors say that doors to the facility were locked and that migrants were left to die inside crumbling walls.

— Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Definition of crumble

Noun

The aisles were so choked that blooms and branches brushed against us, the air heady with the scent of lilies, roses, eucalyptus, and sweet decay.

— Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026
The physical properties of TRISO fuel and gas cooling allow the core to dissipate residual decay heat naturally.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 July 2026

Definition of decay

Verb

The uninterrupted sun dries out soil increasing drought risk, and light winds allow pollutants to build up, worsening air quality, particularly in urban areas.

— Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 1 July 2026
People in the area are advised to remain ready to leave again if conditions worsen.

— Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 30 June 2026

Definition of worsen

Noun

Press freedoms across Africa are already fragile, with most nations ranking in the lower half of an influential press freedoms index, while numerous recent coups have contributed to a weakening of democratic norms in parts of the continent.

— Jenny Vaughan, semafor.com, 29 June 2026
One of the most significant changes during Hill’s tenure was the weakening of structures designed to elevate teacher concerns to district leadership, Oreskovic said.

— Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 19 June 2026

Definition of weakening

Browse Nearby Words

atrophies

atrophy

atrophying

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Style

“Atrophy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atrophy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of atrophy

verb

noun

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