Synonym Chooser

How is the word decompose different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of decompose are decay, putrefy, rot, and spoil. While all these words mean "to undergo destructive dissolution," decompose stresses a breaking down by chemical change and when applied to organic matter a corruption.

the strong odor of decomposing vegetation

Where would decay be a reasonable alternative to decompose?

The words decay and decompose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, decay implies a slow change from a state of soundness or perfection.

a decaying mansion

In what contexts can putrefy take the place of decompose?

In some situations, the words putrefy and decompose are roughly equivalent. However, putrefy implies the rotting of animal matter and offensiveness to sight and smell.

corpses putrefying on the battlefield

How do rot and decompose relate to one another?

Rot is a close synonym of decompose and often connotes foulness.

fruit was left to rot in warehouses

When is spoil a more appropriate choice than decompose?

The synonyms spoil and decompose are sometimes interchangeable, but spoil applies chiefly to the decomposition of foods.

keep the ham from spoiling

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 decompose In a search warrant affidavit obtained by Fox News Digital, officials revealed that Arakawa's body was found decomposed with bloating on her face and mummification in her hands and feet. Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025 Funk assures that the softened, decomposing cardboard will allow plants to grow through. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2025 The company suggests that AWS Transform can decompose monolithic z/OS COBOL applications into components that can be run in the cloud. Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025 The smell, an odor like rotten eggs, is the sargassum piles decomposing, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Mitchell Willetts, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decompose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decompose
Verb
  • Mohammadi works with materials that disintegrate, for instance halva, soap, letting their ephemerality echo the fragility of memory.
    Nargess Banks, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
  • Toward the end of the movie, Bob’s house of shame disintegrates.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • However, when viruses were exposed to sunlight, many of them did not survive as long, decaying in under 24 hours.
    Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The result was not only environmental catastrophe but license for unchecked consumption of cheap plastic goods that can take a few minutes to use but hundreds of years to decay.
    Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The flesh was rotting off his feet, and his tendons were exposed from frostbite.
    Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 26 May 2025
  • Also, check for hollows in trunks that may mean the interior portion is rotting.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Decompose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decompose. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.

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