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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decay
Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 13 May 2026
According to the brothers, the home — despite appearing quite elegant, with its portico, white balustrade, five bedrooms, carved fireplaces and a music room — has long been in decay and would cost millions of dollars to restore.
—Eric Adler
may 12, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026
Dan Simms, USA Today, 15 May 2026
The transformation of decaying riads into hotels has often meant aiding the restoration of Marrakech’s UNESCO heritage site, as well as promoting local crafts and artisan trades.
—Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for decay
Noun
Washing fruit in advance is not advisable; pre-washing accelerates decay.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 13 May 2026
According to the brothers, the home — despite appearing quite elegant, with its portico, white balustrade, five bedrooms, carved fireplaces and a music room — has long been in decay and would cost millions of dollars to restore.
—Eric Adler
may 12, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026
Verb
Indoor plants won’t always attract earwigs, but decaying plant matter or mold in the soil, issues that are common with over watering, will.
—Dan Simms, USA Today, 15 May 2026
The transformation of decaying riads into hotels has often meant aiding the restoration of Marrakech’s UNESCO heritage site, as well as promoting local crafts and artisan trades.
—Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for decay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decay
Noun
-
The following month, the Veterans Administration filed a report stating that the Nautilus Veterans Hospital was in a severe state of deterioration, mostly because of the dampness from the sea air, which caused the concrete’s steel rods to rust and give way.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
-
The switch in alliances has coincided with the rapid deterioration of the security situation in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Excessive fly activity indicates decomposition is already underway, at which point the fruit's condition is as much the concern as the flies themselves.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
13 May 2026
-
Brian Eckenrode, a retired FBI forensic scientist and expert in human decomposition, joined them in 2021.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Still, others were not convinced this method was effective long term, as peonies can be prone to rotting roots.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
15 May 2026
-
Young lettuce, kale, or broccoli plants should be planted so the root ball is level with the soil surface or just below; burying the stem or the crown too deeply can lead to rotting.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Over the course of the next hour, the weather deteriorated rapidly.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
14 May 2026
-
The warning underscores the deteriorating situation in Gaza.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
In terms of where to beach, wide stretches of sand in Beach Haven remain some of the Jersey Shore’s most desirable, drawing surfers at sunrise, families hauling coolers and striped umbrellas by midday, and sunset walkers lingering until the sky fades pink over the dunes.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 May 2026
-
Inside, customers collect passport stamps, browse racks of worn leather and faded denim and line up for limited-edition tote bags tied to the second annual Vintage Store Day.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
These concerns have led to the weakening of the rupee against the dollar, sending it to record lows in recent days.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
13 May 2026
-
But the weakening of that regime weakens the proxies as well.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
From a nearby dumpster there came the sweet and musty smell of decomposing seafood.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
-
Biodegradable waste consists of organic materials, such as food scraps, vegetable peels, paper, leaves, and agricultural residues, that can be decomposed naturally through microbial processes.—
Aman Kumar,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
A lot of the old ways and structures the industry was built around have shifted or crumbled.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
The mounting costs of Putin’s war on Ukraine have contributed to the nation’s shift, as Russians grapple with higher inflation, more taxes, crumbling infrastructure, tighter censorship, and myriad new restrictions.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decay. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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