atrophy
3 synonyms and 2 antonyms for atrophy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The wasting away or weakening of a body part, usually a muscle or organ, from disease, injury, or lack of use.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
withering
wasting away
Antonyms
How to use atrophy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
muscle atrophy
atrophy from disuse
begin to atrophy
Etymology
From Greek atrophia, "a wasting away," built from a- ("not") and trophe ("nourishment") — literally, not being fed.
Full origin of atrophy →Frequently asked questions
What does “atrophy” mean?
The word “atrophy” means the wasting away or weakening of a body part, usually a muscle or organ, from disease, injury, or lack of use. In plain terms, when a body part, skill, or system weakens or shrinks because it isn't being used.
How do you pronounce “atrophy”?
“Atrophy” is pronounced AT-ruh-fee (/ˈæt.ɹə.fi/ in IPA).
How do you use “atrophy” in a sentence?
Here is “atrophy” used in a sentence: “Long periods in a cast can cause muscle atrophy.”
What is the opposite of “atrophy”?
The opposite of “atrophy” — its antonyms — are hypertrophy and strengthen.
What part of speech is “atrophy”?
Depending on how it is used, “atrophy” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “atrophy” come from?
The word “atrophy” comes from Greek. From Greek atrophia, "a wasting away," built from a- ("not") and trophe ("nourishment") — literally, not being fed.
How many meanings does “atrophy” have?
“Atrophy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the wasting away or weakening of a body part, usually a muscle or organ, from disease, injury, or lack of use.
