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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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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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
Anthony Paletta, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2025
These issues trigger voltage decay and metal loss, slashing battery lifespan.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2025
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
The schedule has continued to decay.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decay
Noun
Subsequent decades didn’t result in healthy metabolic processes; there was decay but no regeneration.
—Anthony Paletta, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2025
These issues trigger voltage decay and metal loss, slashing battery lifespan.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
Though hostas can be pruned in spring, it’s not recommended since those decaying leaves can harbor pests and diseases over the winter and eventually kill the plant.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
The schedule has continued to decay.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decay
Noun
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These ingredients reflect a growing shift in pet wellness away from simply slowing joint deterioration and toward rebuilding comfort, restoring flexibility, and reducing inflammation at the source.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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But the deployment of—among others—three destroyers, at least one submarine and an amphibious ready group (ARG) filled with Marines is a further deterioration in the poor relationship between Washington and Caracas that appears to have spooked Maduro.—
Ellie Cook
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The issue of decomposition The research centered on a type of battery known as LNMO (composed of lithium, nickel, manganese, and oxygen).—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Aug. 2025
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On August 13, the bodies of the four men were discovered in the Parisian municipality of Choisy-le-Roi in varying states of decomposition.—
Philippe Cordier,
CNN Money,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Check each tomato for pest damage or disease such as blossom end rot.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
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It can also be used to describe the brain-rotting content itself.—
Safiyah Riddle,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The 112-year-old school building has asbestos and a deteriorating foundation.—
Erica Mosca,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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But when the levees failed, thousands of people were trapped inside as supplies dwindled and conditions deteriorated quickly.—
Sarah Alegre,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Midnight blue, a heavier shade, has been favored in recent years as the summer fades and fall approaches.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
6 Sep. 2025
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As the sun set over the East River, the music faded but the warmth lingered.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Those trades were made ahead of Friday’s big jobs report for August, which showed the labor market weakening.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
8 Sep. 2025
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Within 24 hours, the storm was expected to begin a slow weakening.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The farm worked with Ducks Unlimited for a different conservation easement applicable to its rice fields, and was an early adopter of post-harvest flood practices to decompose rice straw left over from harvest.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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While strontium aluminate can readily decompose in plants, posing harm to plant tissue, Liu said, the scientists developed a chemical coating for the material that acts as a protective barrier.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That this team won’t crumble in the face of adversity.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Decades of underinvestment have left the country with congested highways, crumbling bridges, crowded airports — and a disjointed passenger rail network that is underfunded and unreliable.—
Ben Jones,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decay. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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