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
Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 5 May 2026
Irises are a symbol of courage and hope—and Van Gogh’s masterpiece evokes vitality, decay, and the cycle of life itself.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 4 May 2026
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026
This includes some that pass through each other like ghosts, some that interact with each other, exchanging energy, and others that decay into smaller particles, releasing a tiny bit of energy in the process.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decay
Noun
Caulking the hole is recommended to prevent wood decay.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 5 May 2026
Irises are a symbol of courage and hope—and Van Gogh’s masterpiece evokes vitality, decay, and the cycle of life itself.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 4 May 2026
Verb
Researchers stressed that living plastics can function when the spores are dormant and decay when the spores are activated.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026
This includes some that pass through each other like ghosts, some that interact with each other, exchanging energy, and others that decay into smaller particles, releasing a tiny bit of energy in the process.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 27 Apr. 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
-
Pots simmered on the stove with paella, fruit rotted in bowls next to the junk mail, and the pantry was full of old rusted cans of strange unearthly edibles—bamboo shoots and snails in sauce and lemons floating in brine.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 May 2026
-
Soggy soil can cause rot, and overwatering can cause the leaves to turn yellow.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
8 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 little trick is to crumble a stock cube into the marinade — this is a quick and easy way to add depth and rich, umami flavor.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 May 2026
-
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that Cuban authorities have not accepted an offer of $100 million in humanitarian aid from the United States to help a population struggling with widespread shortages and a crumbling economy.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decay. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
