Definition of rotten
- a rotten day
- a rotten job
- feeling rotten
- a rotten show
- what rotten luck
They did a rotten job.
What rotten weather we're having.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rotten.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use: 13th century
in the meaning defined at sense 1
See Words from the same yearbad, black, dark, evil, immoral, iniquitous, nefarious, sinful, unethical, unlawful, unrighteous, unsavory, vicious, vile, villainous, wicked, wrong;
decent, ethical, good, honest, honorable, just, moral, right, righteous, sublime, upright, virtuous;
elevated, high, high-minded, law-abiding, legitimate, lofty, noble, principled, reputable, scrupulous;
allowed, authorized, legal, licensed, permissible, permitted;
approved, endorsed (also indorsed), sanctioned;
abetted, encouraged, promoted, supported;
clean, correct, decent, decorous, exemplary, proper, seemly;
blameless, commendable, creditable, guiltless, legitimate;
chaste, immaculate, incorruptible, innocent, inoffensive, irreproachable, lily-white, perfect, pure, spotless, squeaky-clean, uncorrupted, unerring, unfallen, unobjectionable, venerable, white, wholesome;
base, contemptible, despicable, dirty, disreputable, evil-minded, ignoble, ill, infernal, low, mean, snide, sordid;
atrocious, cruel, infamous, nasty;
blamable, blameworthy, censurable, objectionable, obscene, offensive, reprehensible;
corrupt, debased, debauched, degenerate, depraved, dissolute, libertine, loose, low-minded, perverted, reprobate, sick, unhealthy;
cursed (also curst), cussed, defiling, noxious, pernicious, pestilential, ugly, ungodly, unwholesome;
banned, barred, condemned, discouraged, forbidden, illegal, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed, unauthorized, unclean;
execrable, lousy, miserable, wretched;
errant, erring, fallen, unprincipled, unscrupulous;
improper, incorrect, indecent, indecorous, naughty, unbecoming, unseemly, vulgar;
Those kids were spoiled rotten by their mother.
1880
: having rotted or decayed and no longer able to be used, eaten, etc.
: very bad or unpleasant
: not well or healthy
See words that rhyme with rotten Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rotten Spanish Central: Translation of rotten Nglish: Translation of rotten for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of rotten for Arabic speakers
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