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
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 decay
Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Not long ago, California took a baby step toward addressing this rampant decay.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026
Duncan S. Demarsh, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Some of Tarr’s most memorable scenes feature landscapes, often bleak and despairing settings of decaying Hungarian towns, punctuated with close-ups of characters’ faces.
—John Penner, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decay
Noun
When institutions operate in a constant state of decay, crisis management replaces strategic planning, and long-term reform becomes impossible.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Not long ago, California took a baby step toward addressing this rampant decay.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
By the time of his death in 2013, Venezuela’s economy was already decaying, its institutions hollowed, and its future mortgaged.
—Duncan S. Demarsh, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Some of Tarr’s most memorable scenes feature landscapes, often bleak and despairing settings of decaying Hungarian towns, punctuated with close-ups of characters’ faces.
—John Penner, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decay
Noun
-
Cleaning Products And Chemicals Paint, fertilizer, weed killer, pool cleaners, and other temperature-sensitive chemicals should be brought indoors for the winter to prevent freezing and deterioration.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Motorists traveling across the area this morning, including along I-85 and I-77 through Charlotte metro and vicinity, should be prepared for sudden deterioration in visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The body of a month-old boy found in a duffel bag stuffed in a closet inside his family’s apartment was in an advanced state of decomposition — and his mother told cops her son hadn’t been home for at least two weeks before being arrested for hiding his corpse, prosecutors said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office determined at the time that Schlake drowned, but his body was in such a state of decomposition that officials could not immediately identify him, said Adam Linhardt, spokesman for the sheriff’s office.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The water was yellow and smelled like rotting eggs.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
-
If the center is rotting out, add a little potting soil and plant flowers right in the stump.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Travel conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly once snow begins, and hazardous conditions could persist into Sunday morning before snow tapers off.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Travel conditions could deteriorate rapidly as early as Friday evening.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The designer honors his Azerbaijani heritage, working with artisans from across Azerbaijan and Georgia to create rich, unique textures, while helping to support rural communities and preserve fading artisanal skills.—
Amy O’Brien,
Vogue,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Other factors for the warmer spring include a fading La Niña, a weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean that can bring cool temperatures to the United States.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Leveling threats of tariffs on adversaries and allies alike has been relatively easy, but the result has been a weakening of the economy and American trade ties, and a crumbling of the old global-trade system.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
28 Jan. 2026
-
This weakening of the teeth of the apex predators could affect the broader marine ecosystem, too.—
Justin Klawans,
TheWeek,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The following month, on April 17, 1996, two county workers stumbled across the decomposing remains of Kenneth Smith.—
Christine Pelisek,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The body was decomposed, a fire official said.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The old guard is crumbling, as the NCAA no longer regulates the economic exchange of value between schools and their players—not to mention the outside intervention of third-party interests.—
Dr. Marcus Collins,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
But questions kept coming, and my trust was crumbling.—
Margaret Keane,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decay. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
