1
as in decomposes
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deteriorates
to become worse or of less value
the restaurant's standards for food and service had decayed over the years
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fades
to lose bodily strength or vigor
having reached her 80s, the woman could sense that her body was decaying
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Recent Examples of decays
This could include some sort of novel, exotic form of mass or energy, a non-standard form of dark matter or dark energy that decays or otherwise interacts, or a modification to one or more laws of physics.
—
Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025
Competitive advantage now decays in months, not years.
—Jason Wingard, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
As the emitter naturally decays, electrons (in the form of beta particles) strike the absorber.
—IEEE Spectrum, 25 Aug. 2025
So as radioactive uranium slowly decays into lead, the ratio of uranium to lead provides the age of the crystal.
—Howard Lee, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2025
This technique relies on the fact that naturally occurring uranium decays over long but well-known periods of time to eventually transform into lead.
—Briana Pobiner, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2025
Because plutonium-238 decays slowly, losing only half its atoms over about 90 years, an RTG is ideal for missions that outlast the life span of typical batteries, fuel cells, or solar panels.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Apr. 2025
The audio isn't much to listen to—just some static followed by a staticky explosive noise that decays in swirling fashion for multiple seconds.
—Nate Anderson, Ars Technica, 12 Feb. 2025
Once in a very great while, an ephemeral particle called a kaon arises and then quickly decays away into three other obscure entities.
—Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2024
Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025
Competitive advantage now decays in months, not years.
—Jason Wingard, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
As the emitter naturally decays, electrons (in the form of beta particles) strike the absorber.
—IEEE Spectrum, 25 Aug. 2025
So as radioactive uranium slowly decays into lead, the ratio of uranium to lead provides the age of the crystal.
—Howard Lee, ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2025
This technique relies on the fact that naturally occurring uranium decays over long but well-known periods of time to eventually transform into lead.
—Briana Pobiner, The Conversation, 11 Apr. 2025
Because plutonium-238 decays slowly, losing only half its atoms over about 90 years, an RTG is ideal for missions that outlast the life span of typical batteries, fuel cells, or solar panels.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Apr. 2025
The audio isn't much to listen to—just some static followed by a staticky explosive noise that decays in swirling fashion for multiple seconds.
—Nate Anderson, Ars Technica, 12 Feb. 2025
Once in a very great while, an ephemeral particle called a kaon arises and then quickly decays away into three other obscure entities.
—Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decays
Verb
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The calculation, called the Fourier transform, decomposes any function into its parts.—
Shalma Wegsman,
Quanta Magazine,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This means green signals are inherently weaker, and when outdoor sunlight adds noise, the measurement range shrinks even further, and accuracy deteriorates.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
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When trust between boards and CEOs deteriorates, cracks spread quickly.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 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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And when history is forgotten, respect for it fades.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The debris collides with Earth's atmosphere at high speed and disintegrates, creating fiery and colorful streaks in the sky.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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Recruits typically come from deprived areas, and as Russia’s economy disintegrates in slow motion, the bonanza offered by the army looks increasingly appealing.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The film reportedly follows Streep’s Miranda as the magazine industry crumbles around her.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
5 Aug. 2025
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However, the film often crumbles under the weight of the ambitions.—
Sweta Kaushal,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Bottom line—moving Space Command headquarters weakens our national security at the worst possible time.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
3 Sep. 2025
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If employees rely on tools only for quick answers, curiosity weakens.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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If Britain continues down the path of criminalizing thought and prayer, the alliance risks being reduced to polite diplomacy while its moral core rots away.—
Lois McLatchie Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Funiculars use a counterweight pulley system so that when one car of a funicular descends, the other car can ascend.—
Billy Stockwell,
CNN Money,
7 Sep. 2025
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Then the Marswalker does its job and climbs or descends a staircase.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decays. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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