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decay

noun

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Synonyms & Antonyms of decay

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 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 for decay

Words Related to decay

atrophy

exhaustion

Near Antonyms for decay

progress

Antonyms for decay

2 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 for decay

Words Related to decay

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decay

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms of decay (Entry 2 of 2)

1 to go through decomposition

the logs decayed on the rain forest floor

the atom of plutonium decayed in the test chamber

Synonyms for decay

Words Related to decay

sour,
turn,
turn off
[British]

mortify

rust

Phrases Synonymous with decay

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2 to become worse or of less value

the restaurant's standards for food and service had decayed over the years

Synonyms for decay

Words Related to decay

sour,
spoil

Phrases Synonymous with decay

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Antonyms for decay

3 to lose bodily strength or vigor

having reached her 80s, the woman could sense that her body was decaying

Synonyms for decay

Words Related to decay

yield

Near Antonyms for decay

gain

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Verb

decay, decompose, rot, putrefy, spoil mean to undergo destructive dissolution. decay implies a slow change from a state of soundness or perfection. a decaying mansion decompose stresses a breaking down by chemical change and when applied to organic matter a corruption. the strong odor of decomposing vegetation rot is a close synonym of decompose and often connotes foulness. fruit was left to rot in warehouses putrefy implies the rotting of animal matter and offensiveness to sight and smell. corpses putrefying on the battlefield spoil applies chiefly to the decomposition of foods. keep the ham from spoiling