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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
The earthy scent of decomposing leaves and soil contributes to the smell. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 July 2026 The Yolo County Central Landfill will build a new system that will convert methane from decomposing waste into renewable natural gas, the county announced Tuesday. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026 The ocean becomes a creamy expanse splotched with brown mats of decomposing algae, according to photos shared by Abrams. — Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026 The owners of Davis Mortuary in Pueblo have been arrested, accused in connection with the investigation that was sparked by last year's discovery of decomposing bodies behind a barricaded door at the mortuary. — Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 25 June 2026 Officials warned that decomposing fish could create potential health hazards for visitors entering the area or attempting to fish. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026 That’s different from most other types of maggots, which feed on decomposing flesh. — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 9 June 2026 Grass clippings reverse that process by acting as a fast-decomposing source of organic matter that provides nutrients to the soil. — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 7 June 2026 But then a group of Boy Scouts hiking in western Wisconsin in 2002 came across a bag with a decomposing skull. — Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decomposing
  1. decomposed
  2. rotting
  3. decaying
  4. disintegrating
  5. decayed
  6. rotted
  7. rotten
  8. spoiled
Adjective
  • 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
  • Inspectors also found a decomposed rat in the basement.
    — Mamie Bah, CBS News, 15 May 2026
Definition of decomposed
Verb
  • If for some reason the plants are staying too wet, the roots and lower stems may be rotting.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2026
  • The directives also require the companies to remove, within 45 days, the millions of pounds of rotting food inside the warehouse.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of rotting
Adjective
  • 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
  • That changed in April 2023 when unknowing construction workers unceremoniously removed a disintegrating Pinky from its eyrie.
    — Ryan Steven Green, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
  • The experiments have shown how a self-repair mechanism enables the spindle to stabilize itself under force and avoid disintegrating.
    — Jake Buehler, Quanta Magazine, 29 June 2026
Definition of disintegrating
Adjective
  • Discard any that look dead or decayed.
    — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The farm buildings on the property—long verandas, shearing sheds, and concrete kennels—are old and decayed, remnants from long before the group showed up.
    — Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 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
  • Blooms last just 24 to 48 hours, with the plant releasing a stench likened to rotten eggs, gym socks and decaying flesh.
    — Emily Tarinelli, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • However, the various hosts of these parasites can live in a variety of places, such as in figs, leaves or even deep in rotten wood.
    — Philip Anderson, The Conversation, 8 July 2026
Definition of rotten
Adjective
  • Some spoiled plantains were also attracting flies and had to be thrown out.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 July 2026
  • The athlete reportedly made sure that his girlfriend felt spoiled.
    — Alicia Brunker, InStyle, 3 July 2026
Definition of spoiled

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Cite this Entry

“Decomposing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decomposing. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on decomposing

Nglish: Translation of decomposing for Spanish Speakers

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