decomposing 1 of 2

adjective

as in decomposed

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decomposing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of decompose
as in rotting
to go through decomposition detectives needed to know how long it would take a corpse to decompose to that advanced state

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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 decomposing
Verb
In part because this reuses the carbon from decomposing waste, it’s generally considered more climate-friendly. — Alex Cuadros, ProPublica, 10 Nov. 2026 Fruit flies, or Drosophila, begin life as larvae that feed and burrow in decomposing fruit. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026 The operator of a Southeast Side funeral home where 55 decomposing bodies were discovered this summer will have her license suspended until at least April, an administrative law judge ruled. — Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026 By decomposing carcasses and dung, insects likely reduce disease transmission among wild vertebrates. — Chris Elphick, The Conversation, 6 Nov. 2026 Loggers found the teenagers’ decomposing bodies in the forest, one of them tied to a tree with electrical wire, prosecutors said. — Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2026 The body of 76-year-old Ronald Tyler was already decomposing by the time his daughter Terri found out where he was being stored. — Dave Savini, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 If soil amendment is needed, first add compost and decomposing leaves to the garden soil. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2026 In this case, the researchers focused its attention on acetic acid – the source of the sour, vinegar-like smell coming from decomposing garbage. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decomposing
  1. decomposed
  2. rotting
  3. decaying
  4. disintegrating
  5. decayed
  6. rotted
  7. rotten
  8. spoiled
Adjective
  • Two decomposed bodies have been found within five days at a park in western North Carolina, and both cases are classified as murders, according to investigators.
    — Mark Price July 26, Charlotte Observer, 26 July 2026
  • At a time when the Earth was bare, when there were no vertebrates, no trees, no leaves, no flowering plants, and no plants with seeds, millipedes were feeding on decaying mosses, decomposed slime, and primordial gunk.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 13 June 2026
Definition of decomposed
Verb
  • Clean The Garden Don’t keep the garden too close to your house, and make sure to clean up any fallen or rotting vegetables and plants that have died back.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Adding rotting fruit to the mix is only going to invite more damage to your yard and home.
    — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of rotting
Adjective
  • Liberal critics, however, argued—also rightly—that the Soviet Union was a decaying, economically crippled giant by the time Reagan was inaugurated.
    — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The district also could be in for other major changes in the coming years, including the opening of a few new schools to replace multiple decaying, underenrolled schools.
    — Scott Travis, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026
Definition of decaying
Verb
  • Even though relations between the pair had been publicly disintegrating for weeks, Stevens' announcement was a surprise.
    — Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The stars have grown lethargic and limp, with lesions spread across their bodies, their arms falling off or disintegrating.
    — Joseph Ogilvy, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of disintegrating
Adjective
  • In 2022, a man's decayed body was found stuffed into a metal barrel.
    — Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The soil should be moist, faintly acid smelling, from its infusion of decayed compost.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of decayed
Adjective
  • Inspect fences and perform any repairs or maintenance, such as reinforcing posts or replacing rotted sections.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
  • Many grapes become too rotted and are left to wither away.
    — John Mariani, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Definition of rotted
Adjective
  • Over the last decade, local government warehouses meant to store emergency food supplies have been found empty or filled with rotten supplies, largely because of corruption.
    — JOEL WUTHNOW, Foreign Affairs, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Since January 2023, the South Coast Air Quality Management District has received more than 28,000 complaints, many of which describe the foul smell as rotten, putrid and stomach-churning.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of rotten
Adjective
  • Needless to say a lot of food was deemed spoiled and had to be thrown out.
    — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Staff caught the attack in progress before any supply was damaged, but going from spoiled groceries to the blood supply is a big escalation.
    — Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of spoiled

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decomposing
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Cite this Entry

“Decomposing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decomposing. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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