as in decomposed
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Dissimilar Words
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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Recent Examples of decomposing
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
Jon Hallford, a southern Colorado funeral home owner who stashed nearly 200 decomposing bodies and gave families fake ashes, was sentenced on state charges on Friday.
—Maria Braganini, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
His work on Prototaxites fossils has shown that the ancient organisms didn’t use photosynthesis to produce energy from light like plants, but likely consumed carbon sources in the environment — just as some living fungi live off decomposing organic matter.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
In September, the decomposing body of the 15-year-old girl was discovered in the trunk of D4vd’s vehicle, roughly two weeks after it was reported abandoned on a street in Hollywood.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
Mulch is also readily available, provided by the tree’s own slowly decomposing leaves, which fall throughout the year since this species is evergreen.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
The following month, on April 17, 1996, two county workers stumbled across the decomposing remains of Kenneth Smith.
—Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
In desert regions, natural mummification is common due to the dry conditions where fungi and bacteria can’t thrive on a decomposing corpse.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 15 Jan. 2026
In town, the painter also notes the reek of decomposing bodies, of garbage, of blood streaming out of the butcher shop.
—Amir Ahmadi Arian, The Dial, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
Funk assures that the softened, decomposing cardboard will allow plants to grow through.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026
Jon Hallford, a southern Colorado funeral home owner who stashed nearly 200 decomposing bodies and gave families fake ashes, was sentenced on state charges on Friday.
—Maria Braganini, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
His work on Prototaxites fossils has shown that the ancient organisms didn’t use photosynthesis to produce energy from light like plants, but likely consumed carbon sources in the environment — just as some living fungi live off decomposing organic matter.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
In September, the decomposing body of the 15-year-old girl was discovered in the trunk of D4vd’s vehicle, roughly two weeks after it was reported abandoned on a street in Hollywood.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
Mulch is also readily available, provided by the tree’s own slowly decomposing leaves, which fall throughout the year since this species is evergreen.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
The following month, on April 17, 1996, two county workers stumbled across the decomposing remains of Kenneth Smith.
—Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
In desert regions, natural mummification is common due to the dry conditions where fungi and bacteria can’t thrive on a decomposing corpse.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 15 Jan. 2026
In town, the painter also notes the reek of decomposing bodies, of garbage, of blood streaming out of the butcher shop.
—Amir Ahmadi Arian, The Dial, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decomposing
Adjective
-
Consider filling the gaps with decomposed granite to give your flagstone garden path a more professional look.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
17 Feb. 2026
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Inside the container were the badly decomposed remains of an infant.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Make sure succulents are planted in well-draining soil to keep them from rotting.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2026
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But whoever lies rotting in the bathtub is anyone’s guess.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But mostly they are found in soil and feed on algae, fungal, plant roots and decaying organic matter.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
19 Feb. 2026
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Gomez takes up this theme in his photorealistic paintings, which often feature dramatic skies juxtaposed with decaying urban signs.—
Sharon Mizota,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Some are sandy; others are rich in organic matter formed from centuries of decayed plants.—
Dinesh Phuyal,
The Conversation,
26 Jan. 2026
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Of the 20 dead cats, eight were too decayed for a necropsy exam, which determines the cause of death of a dead animal and any associated diseases or injuries.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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By 2019, Virginia photographer John Plashal caught wind of what was disintegrating on Hankins' out-of-the-way acres.—
Danielle Paquette The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
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Around the world, states were disintegrating, climate systems were approaching tipping points, economies were stagnating, and inequality was rising.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Many grapes become too rotted and are left to wither away.—
John Mariani,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Reviews not so good right now at 57% rotten on Rotten Tomatoes.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
18 Feb. 2026
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The beams holding up the room were rotten, and had to be replaced or the room was eventually going to give way underneath.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Allen is an author who lives on the East Coast with her husband and two spoiled cats.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
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Bacteria can grow on spills, spoiled food, and hidden crumbs.—
Kendall Bettle,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decomposing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decomposing. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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