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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of decay
Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 16 July 2025
For more than 75 years, community water fluoridation has been studied and proven as a safe and effective public health measure for the prevention of tooth decay.
—Celeste Ziara, Baltimore Sun, 15 July 2025
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
Each probe is powered by three radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) fueled by decaying plutonium-238.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decay
Noun
To believe such a thing would suggest that the epistemic rot, reality decay, and culture of conspiracism are not by-products of a specific politician or political movement, but something deeper—something intrinsic to the platforms, culture, and systems that define our lives.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 16 July 2025
For more than 75 years, community water fluoridation has been studied and proven as a safe and effective public health measure for the prevention of tooth decay.
—Celeste Ziara, Baltimore Sun, 15 July 2025
Verb
All of this allows Lithgow and Rush to take this decaying senior rivalry to the heights, even veering into campiness as Lithgow stages a musical performance of a children’s song with Jenny as his partner.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
Each probe is powered by three radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) fueled by decaying plutonium-238.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decay
Noun
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By diplomatic standards, the deterioration has been abrupt.—
Andreas Kluth,
Mercury News,
14 Aug. 2025
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Other economists — such as those at Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Citigroup Inc. and UBS Group AG — interpreted the rapid deterioration in hiring more as a sign of weak labor demand, which would push the Fed to commence with rate reductions at its next policy meeting in September.—
Ashley Lutz,
Fortune,
9 Aug. 2025
Verb
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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
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The cherry fruit flies are known to cause damage and rot that renders the fruit unmarketable.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
26 July 2025
Verb
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But this week, the situation in Donetsk has rapidly deteriorated, with Russian forces making important advances to the north east of Dobropilia, altering control of the area Witkoff has been discussing with the Kremlin.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
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But after the Sriracha-maker callously withheld payments from Underwood, the relationship deteriorated and litigation followed.—
Kate Vitasek,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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That uptick in sales and streams hasn’t faded just yet, even though the shock has largely worn off.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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The company is already expanding eastward, and backlash over the CEO’s address will fade quickly.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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His family confirmed his death to PEOPLE and in a social media statement on Saturday, Aug. 9, one day after a decomposing body was discovered near the area where the teenager was last seen.—
Nicholas Rice,
People.com,
10 Aug. 2025
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However, the man’s face was badly decomposed and his identification by the city medical examiner is still pending.—
Rebecca White,
New York Daily News,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Then dice and mix into leafy green salads with ingredients like nuts, seeds, and crumbled feta for a colorful, nutritious twist.—
Lauren O'Connor,
Health,
5 Aug. 2025
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However, the film often crumbles under the weight of the ambitions.—
Sweta Kaushal,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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For Trump, whose political brand has long relied on projecting authenticity to his base, a sustained decline in honesty ratings could weaken his ability to roll out his agenda.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
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This means banana particles can remain between teeth for an extended period, giving bacteria more time to produce acids that weaken tooth enamel.14 6.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The flow ran off his bare chest and dripped down toward disintegrating shoes.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Aug. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Decay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decay. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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