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 When plants get out of control, they are easily pulled up and spread as mulch, whereupon their leaves and semi-succulent stems rapidly decompose. Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 17 May 2025 Hall died in 1990, six days after signing his estate over to his assistant, and decomposed for 72 hours before being reported to the police. Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025 This multi-agent architecture enables organizations to decompose complex business processes into manageable, specialized components. Janakiram Msv, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025 Las Vegas Metro Police discovered the body of Matthew Kelemen, 56, decomposing and wrapped in a tarp inside a locked plastic bin near Fremont Street on May 20 after responding to reports of a foul odor, the department wrote in a press release. Christina Coulter, People.com, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for decompose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decompose
Verb
  • Guinness noted that the actor had to jump out of a helicopter from a minimum height of 7,500 feet — sometimes while wearing a 50-pound camera rig — and that the parachute could only burn for about three seconds before completely disintegrating, forcing Cruise to deploy a backup chute.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 5 June 2025
  • Instead the vehicle spun out of control and disintegrated during atmospheric reentry.
    Gayoung Lee, Scientific American, 28 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
  • Don’t constantly flood the new grass as this can lead to rot problems especially in shady spots.
    Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 June 2025
  • Since then, the infestation has worsened, the complaint says, with students at times finding decomposing and rotting mice under the sinks.
    Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 5 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Decompose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decompose. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on decompose

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