as in to disintegrate
to go through decomposition
detectives needed to know how long it would take a corpse to decompose to that advanced state
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in decay
the process by which dead organic matter separates into simpler substances
the unmistakable smell of decomposition led us to some fruit that had fallen behind the refrigerator
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decompose
Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025
Police later sawed open the floor to expose Grimes’ decomposing 135-pound body.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2025
Edward Segarra, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
To speed up the decomposition process, the corks should be chopped up.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decompose
Verb
The first was that the obstacles were decomposed into cuboids.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025
Police later sawed open the floor to expose Grimes’ decomposing 135-pound body.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
Authorities told the outlets that the body was in a state of decomposition.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
To speed up the decomposition process, the corks should be chopped up.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decompose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decompose
Verb
-
When breaking down what the heck happened over the last four months, the first item on the list is the way New York’s starting rotation disintegrated.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Her life starts to disintegrate as she becomes embroiled in the world of The Worrall Family.—
Nancy Tartaglione,
Deadline,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Its decay produces flashes of light in the detector that can mimic potential dark matter signals.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Oct. 2025
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These radioisotopes spontaneously transform into different elements and release radiation – energetic particles or light – in a process called radioactive decay.—
Andrea Richard,
The Conversation,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
Noun
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The original Champagnes weren’t bottled with the intent of undergoing secondary fermentation that would cause its trademark bubbles to form.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
5 Oct. 2025
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Microbes from natural plants like pine cones and nettles added to the milk would start the fermentation process that turns milk into thick, acidic yogurt.—
Amarachi Orie,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Thousands of skeletal creatures were lying on bunks unable to move, while dead bodies were piled in heaps all around the camp, reeking of putrefaction.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Sep. 2025
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Likely only dead individuals, floating as gases formed by putrefaction accumulated in body cavities, entered the lagoon.—
David Bressan,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decompose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decompose. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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