decay

²decay

noun

Definition of DECAY

1

: gradual decline in strength, soundness, or prosperity or in degree of excellence or perfection

2

: a wasting or wearing away : ruin

3

obsolete : destruction, death

4

a : rot; specifically : aerobic decomposition of proteins chiefly by bacteria b : the product of decay

5

: a decline in health or vigor

6

: decrease in quantity, activity, or force: as a : spontaneous decrease in the number of radioactive atoms in radioactive material b : spontaneous disintegration (as of an atom or a particle)

Examples of DECAY

1. the decay of dead plants and leaves
2. She writes about the moral decay of our society.
3. the patient's physical and mental decay
4. The city's neighborhoods are in slow decay.

First Known Use of DECAY

15th century

Related to DECAY

Synonyms: debilitation, decline, decaying, declension, degeneration, descent, deterioration, ebbing, enfeeblement, weakening

Antonyms: comeback, improvement, rally, recovery, recuperation, rehabilitation, revitalization, snapback

Related Words: atrophy; exhaustion; drooping, flagging, limping; regression, relapse, setback

Near Antonyms: invigoration, strengthening; progress; rejuvenation, rejuvenescence

see all synonyms and antonyms

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