1
as in degenerate
having lost forcefulness, courage, or spirit
a candidate who vehemently rejects the idea that liberalism is a decayed political philosophy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in rotten
having undergone organic breakdown
we routinely throw all decayed or unwanted organic matter into our compost heap
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in decomposed
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 deteriorated
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 faded
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 decayed
Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Aug. 2025
The breakthrough came when researchers focused on coelomic fluid, the internal liquid surrounding the sea stars’ organs, rather than tissue from decayed specimens.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2025
Raquel Reichard, Refinery29, 24 Sep. 2025
But Iran’s model decayed even in places where Israel and the United States had not attacked for some time.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Within the next 18 days, the new short July 25 90/115 strangle would be worth only 46 cents, also having decayed by more than 80% of the value when the trade was initiated, at which point a trader could have rolled the short strangle yet again.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Of the 20 dead cats, eight were too decayed for a necropsy exam, which determines the cause of death of a dead animal and any associated diseases or injuries.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Aug. 2025
The breakthrough came when researchers focused on coelomic fluid, the internal liquid surrounding the sea stars’ organs, rather than tissue from decayed specimens.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
His body has barely decayed, and his hair and teeth are still intact.
—Raquel Reichard, Refinery29, 24 Sep. 2025
But Iran’s model decayed even in places where Israel and the United States had not attacked for some time.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025
Within the next 18 days, the new short July 25 90/115 strangle would be worth only 46 cents, also having decayed by more than 80% of the value when the trade was initiated, at which point a trader could have rolled the short strangle yet again.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decayed
Adjective
-
Like people, joints naturally degenerate over time, and arthritis is particularly common in older pets.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
-
In his native Germany, he was reviled by the Nazis as a degenerate artist.—
Celia Bell
July 22,
Literary Hub,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
Lit candles, images on paper and a plaster statue of the folk saint Gauchito Gil, flowers in green plastic bottles, simple bouquets of jasmine floating in rotten water inside coffee cans, a lot of plastic flowers to keep the place colorful.—
Mariana Enriquez
October 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The Karen Read case exposed just how rotten the Bay State justice system can be.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The first was that the obstacles were decomposed into cuboids.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Rivas’ cause and manner of death are still being determined by the medical examiner; the exam is taking longer than usual as the remains were severely decomposed.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
However, as Ozzy's health deteriorated, the project shifted into a film instead.—
Marina Watts,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Stone, brick and window work has deteriorated.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The stock market is still rallying to record highs, the Fed is widely expected to cut rates at its meeting later this month, and the general consensus is that recession risks have all but faded.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Not to worry though, say scientists at NASA, because another meteor shower happens in October well after the supermoon has faded.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Stevenson has become more intentional with his efforts to understand offensive concepts and routes and the ways opposing teams often attack his weak spots.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
But this weaker god jumped in without hesitation and was gifted the ability to become Tonatiuh, the sun.—
Michael Schulman,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Their party gets spoiled when a CCTV camera operator calls to inform the police.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Look who the spoiled brats are, relatively speaking.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
According to the Riverfront Times, portions of his fingers had rotted away before anyone found him.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
-
When a small job of filling in a hole that a pet has dug or where a root has rotted, homeowners can easily handle this type of job themselves.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decayed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decayed. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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