atrophying
Gradually losing strength
Atrophying is wasting away or declining from disuse or neglect.
Muscles atrophy without exercise; skills atrophy without practice.
The word applies to physical deterioration—His leg muscles were atrophying in the cast—and figurative decline: a relationship atrophying from inattention, an atrophying sense of purpose.
Using poorly, inefficiently
- witheringDrying and declining
- shrivelingContracting from moisture loss
- emaciationExtreme bodily thinness
- cachexiaSevere illness-induced wasting
deterioration · weakening · degeneration · shrinkage · thinning · waning · dwindling · diminishing
Decreasing in strength
- crumblingBreaking down gradually
- deterioratingBecoming progressively worse
- erodingGradually wearing away
- collapsingFalling inward suddenly
failing · weakening · decaying · disintegrating · hollowing · diminishing · contracting · shrinking
Decreasing in strength
- stagnatingCeasing to develop
- witheringDrying and declining
- languishingGrowing weak, losing vigor
- deterioratingBecoming progressively worse
eroding · fading · waning · diminishing · decaying · dying · neglected · unused
Progressive loss of function
- paralysisLoss of muscle function
- immobilizationPreventing movement entirely
- disuseCessation of practice
- nerve damageInjured neural tissue
malnutrition · denervation · muscle wasting · deterioration · debilitation · weakness · impairment · dysfunction
wasting
Using poorly, inefficiently
- witheringDrying and declining
- shrivelingContracting from moisture loss
- emaciationExtreme bodily thinness
cachexia · deterioration · weakening · degeneration · shrinkage · thinning · waning · dwindling · diminishing · fading
declining
Decreasing in strength
- crumblingBreaking down gradually
- deterioratingBecoming progressively worse
- erodingGradually wearing away
collapsing · failing · weakening · decaying · disintegrating · hollowing · diminishing · contracting · shrinking · dwindling
declining
Decreasing in strength
- stagnatingCeasing to develop
- witheringDrying and declining
- languishingGrowing weak, losing vigor
deteriorating · eroding · fading · waning · diminishing · decaying · dying · neglected · unused · dormant
degeneration
Progressive loss of function
- paralysisLoss of muscle function
- immobilizationPreventing movement entirely
- disuseCessation of practice
nerve damage · malnutrition · denervation · muscle wasting · deterioration · debilitation · weakness · impairment · dysfunction · incapacity
- decliningdeclining, waning, fading, diminishing, decreasing
- Deteriorationdecay, rot, degradation, deterioration, corrosion
- wilting actionswilting, withering, drooping, sagging, drying
atrophyinggrowing
Increasing or enlarging
strengthening · developing · building up · regenerating · enlarging
atrophyingstrengthening
Increasing power or solidity
thriving · flourishing · revitalizing · invigorating · recovering
atrophyingflourishing
Prospering vigorously
thriving · growing · developing · blossoming · prospering
atrophy, hypertrophy, atrophied, dystrophy, atrophic, atrophies, dystrophic