1
as in deterioration
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body
middle-aged people who fervently hope that daily exercise will arrest the physical decay that usually accompanies advancing age
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decomposition
the process by which dead organic matter separates into simpler substances
the cycle by which the decay of dead plants on the forest floor provides soil and nutrients for the next generation of plants
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to rot
to go through decomposition
the logs decayed on the rain forest floor the atom of plutonium decayed in the test chamber
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value
the restaurant's standards for food and service had decayed over the years
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3
as in to fade
to lose bodily strength or vigor
having reached her 80s, the woman could sense that her body was decaying
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of decay
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 23 Sep. 2025
As that interior strife becomes more evident, the beautiful mountain village gives way to rot, decay, and of course, actual monsters.
—Vincent Acovino, NPR, 22 Sep. 2025
Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
There is natural beauty, too, with landscapes of Trento, Italy’s trees changing and decaying over time informing a lot of the textures.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decay
Noun
The two manage to thrive together amid the decay and disorder of their East Hampton, New York mansion, making for an eerily ramshackle echo of the American Camelot.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 23 Sep. 2025
As that interior strife becomes more evident, the beautiful mountain village gives way to rot, decay, and of course, actual monsters.
—Vincent Acovino, NPR, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
Although that serves as the lynchpin of Hinako's journey through both her decaying town and the Otherworld, a strange realm that manifests itself through Hinako's fears and anxieties, the teenager's journey is rooted in more than just angst.
—Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
There is natural beauty, too, with landscapes of Trento, Italy’s trees changing and decaying over time informing a lot of the textures.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decay
Noun
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Americans have this year grappled with elevated inflation, as well as a deterioration of the job market and a broader weakening of the nation’s economic outlook.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The median age of survival since 1970 is 29 years and, while there is no cure and physical deterioration is inevitable, advancements in care have lengthened life expectancy.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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After extinguishing the fire, officials found Robert Hill, 44, deceased with severe burns, apparent head trauma, and signs of decomposition, according to Melesa Johnson with the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee,
Kansas City Star,
29 Sep. 2025
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Authorities located a body in the front trunk of the Tesla that was in a state of decomposition, LAPD sources said.—
Alex Stone,
ABC News,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In most parts of the country, tender summer bulbs will either freeze or rot in the ground during winter.—
Erica Browne Grivas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Oct. 2025
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Garbage, rotting food with bugs and clothing stacked close to the ceiling were also seen in most areas of the house.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Breaking them down to save for a later date isn’t enough, as bugs will still nestle their way in even as the cardboard deteriorates.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Oct. 2025
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Advertisement Our hygiene deteriorates.—
Eli Sharabi,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As anger fades into apathy and grief is aggravated by guilt, the public also chooses silence.—
Yangyang Cheng,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
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While pie crust seems to be fading away, some chefs would rather think completely outside the box by creating a completely different crust.—
Amber Love Bond,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Hurricane center forecasters said additional strengthening is expected before weakening begins by the middle of this week.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
6 Oct. 2025
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For another, there’s the DESI data, our best large-scale structure data at present, which seems to slightly favor the presence of evolving (and, in particular, decaying or weakening) dark energy.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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These clippings decompose rapidly, enhancing soil quality and providing nutrients for your turf grass.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Oct. 2025
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Water molecules in the electrolyte tend to decompose, and zinc deposits unevenly, forming dendrites that can cause short circuits.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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By the end, the old Wembley was best viewed from a distance — ideally 15 or 20 years’ distance as the crumbling concrete and antiquated facilities meant the Empire Stadium belonged in the same bygone era as its official name.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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The recent protests were triggered by the deaths of several pregnant women following routine C-sections in the coastal city of Agadir, spotlighting the crumbling healthcare system.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decay. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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