atrophy

To atrophy is to slowly lose the ability to do something. If you atrophy your muscles, you will not be able to move as well as you used to.

  • The muscles atrophy when you don't use them.

  • The plant will atrophy if it is not watered.

Definition of atrophy

noun

a decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse

Synonyms:

wasting, wasting away

noun

any weakening or degeneration (especially through lack of use)

Synonyms:

withering

verb

undergo atrophy

Nearby Words

atrophy Pronunciation in a video

Example Sentences for atrophy

  • 1

    Atrophy is the partial or complete wasting away of a part of the body.

  • 2

    Males are infertile with atrophy in the testes.

  • 3

    The arms are atrophied and the legs are mobile.

  • 4

    Note slight muscular atrophy of the hands.

  • 5

    Testosterone usually causes atrophy of the endometrium.

  • 6

    All structures of the kidney show ischemic atrophy.

  • 7

    The muscle atrophy in the generally results from disuse.

  • 8

    Neuroimaging showed the presence of new atrophy in the frontotemporal region.

  • 9

    In most cases, there is severe atrophy of both hemispheres of the brain.

  • 10

    In the brain, atrophy may be present in the frontal and temporal lobes.