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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of decompose
Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2025
Deputies found Angela Byrd, 44, deceased and wrapped in plastic inside the couple’s home, where Byrd allegedly lived for weeks as the body decomposed, according to the sheriff.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2025
Here's how to prevent them in your home: Fruit flies feed on the liquid of decomposing food and any sticky substances.
—Emma Ashe, Southern Living, 13 July 2025
The coroner said she had been buried for some time and her body was decomposing.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for decompose
Verb
But slugs can be beneficial omnivores that feed on algae, fungi, decomposing organic matter and plants.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2025
Deputies found Angela Byrd, 44, deceased and wrapped in plastic inside the couple’s home, where Byrd allegedly lived for weeks as the body decomposed, according to the sheriff.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2025
Here's how to prevent them in your home: Fruit flies feed on the liquid of decomposing food and any sticky substances.
—Emma Ashe, Southern Living, 13 July 2025
The coroner said she had been buried for some time and her body was decomposing.
—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for decompose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decompose
Verb
-
The flow ran off his bare chest and dripped down toward disintegrating shoes.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Aug. 2025
-
The debris collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
In organizational life, this might look like: Declines in discretionary effort Ambiguity about priorities Less appetite for risk or experimentation Emotional withdrawal or flattened affect These aren’t signs of decay.—
Scott Hutcheson,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
-
In places where fluoride is not in the drinking water, fluoride tablets or drops may be prescribed for babies and children to reduce the risk of tooth decay.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
24 July 2025
Verb
-
Calcium-rich eggshells can be added to gardens and houseplant soil to prevent issues like blossom end rot and support plants with higher-than-average calcium needs, such as most nightshades, brassicas, and peperomia.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 July 2025
-
The cherry fruit flies are known to cause damage and rot that renders the fruit unmarketable.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
26 July 2025
Noun
-
Probiotics are naturally formed during the fermentation process used to make foods like some pickles and olives.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
5 Aug. 2025
-
The fermentation process makes kombucha a potential source of probiotics in your diet.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
30 July 2025
Noun
-
Likely only dead individuals, floating as gases formed by putrefaction accumulated in body cavities, entered the lagoon.—
David Bressan,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
-
Fifty-three industrial plants are invited to squat there, in the center of the city, and the smell of decomposition and putrefaction and acidification, a stew of sulfur, chlorine, lye, and ammonia, suffuses the air.—
Caroline Fraser
June 10,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decompose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decompose. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share