putrefy

verb

pu·​tre·​fy ˈpyü-trə-ˌfī 

putrefied; putrefying

transitive verb

: to make putrid

intransitive verb

: to undergo putrefaction

Synonyms

• decompose
• rot
• decay
• disintegrate

Choose the Right Synonym for putrefy

decay, decompose, rot, putrefy, spoil mean to undergo destructive dissolution.

decay implies a slow change from a state of soundness or perfection.

a decaying mansion

decompose stresses a breaking down by chemical change and when applied to organic matter a corruption.

the strong odor of decomposing vegetation

rot is a close synonym of decompose and often connotes foulness.

fruit was left to rot in warehouses

putrefy implies the rotting of animal matter and offensiveness to sight and smell.

corpses putrefying on the battlefield

spoil applies chiefly to the decomposition of foods.

keep the ham from spoiling

Examples of putrefy in a Sentence

we traced the bad smell to a dead skunk putrefying under the house

Recent Examples on the Web

Because lose-lose situations are so endemic to the genre, a hint of relief can sometimes accompany the prospect of surrender to the putrefying mob. —Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025

Fast-forward to now, and the scene has putrefied into a wasteland of the percussive undead. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 2 July 2025

But those explicit depictions underscore the many points McCartney and McLennan are trying to make about how misogyny putrefies society. —Alexis Gunderson, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024

It was designed to hold 20 bodies but on this day held 28 — the putrefied remains testifying to two dozen shattered dreams of reaching the United States. —Arelis R. Hernández, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024

Mules killed in the assault putrefied and attracted swarms of maggots. —Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2024

Just as fruit and meats left untouched began to rot and putrefy, dregs and undigested material inside the body turned poisonous if not expelled. —Meg Leja, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Nov. 2023

Just as fruit and meats left untouched began to rot and putrefy, so did dregs and undigested material inside the body turn poisonous if not expelled. —Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English putrefien, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French putrefier, from Latin putrefacere, from putrēre to be rotten + facere to make — more at do

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

putrefy

verb

pu·​tre·​fy ˈpyü-trə-ˌfī 

putrefied; putrefying

: to make or become putrid : rot sense 1a

Medical Definition

putrefy

verb

pu·​tre·​fy ˈpyü-trə-ˌfī 

putrefied; putrefying

transitive verb

: to make putrid

intransitive verb

: to undergo putrefaction