as in decay
the process by which dead organic matter separates into simpler substances
the unmistakable smell of decomposition led us to some fruit that had fallen behind the refrigerator
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Recent Examples of decomposition
After extinguishing the fire, officials found Robert Hill, 44, deceased with severe burns, apparent head trauma, and signs of decomposition, according to Melesa Johnson with the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office.
—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
Authorities located a body in the front trunk of the Tesla that was in a state of decomposition, LAPD sources said.
—Alex Stone, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2025
This physical barrier is crucial for suppressing the decomposition of water, a primary cause of gas formation and efficiency loss in aqueous systems.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025
The website states that the body was located on Wednesday, October 4, 1978, and the remains were unrecognizable due to decomposition.
—Veronica Fulton, NBC news, 21 Sep. 2025
Authorities told the outlets that the body was in a state of decomposition.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
To speed up the decomposition process, the corks should be chopped up.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2025
Citing a report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, the outlet said that the victim was a female in a severe state of decomposition.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Dynamic task decomposition, enabling systems to break down complex objectives and adapt as new information emerges.
—Rajeev Ronanki, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2025
Authorities located a body in the front trunk of the Tesla that was in a state of decomposition, LAPD sources said.
—Alex Stone, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2025
This physical barrier is crucial for suppressing the decomposition of water, a primary cause of gas formation and efficiency loss in aqueous systems.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025
The website states that the body was located on Wednesday, October 4, 1978, and the remains were unrecognizable due to decomposition.
—Veronica Fulton, NBC news, 21 Sep. 2025
Authorities told the outlets that the body was in a state of decomposition.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
To speed up the decomposition process, the corks should be chopped up.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2025
Citing a report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, the outlet said that the victim was a female in a severe state of decomposition.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Dynamic task decomposition, enabling systems to break down complex objectives and adapt as new information emerges.
—Rajeev Ronanki, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decomposition
Noun
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Its decay produces flashes of light in the detector that can mimic potential dark matter signals.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Oct. 2025
-
These radioisotopes spontaneously transform into different elements and release radiation – energetic particles or light – in a process called radioactive decay.—
Andrea Richard,
The Conversation,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The original Champagnes weren’t bottled with the intent of undergoing secondary fermentation that would cause its trademark bubbles to form.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
5 Oct. 2025
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Microbes from natural plants like pine cones and nettles added to the milk would start the fermentation process that turns milk into thick, acidic yogurt.—
Amarachi Orie,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Thousands of skeletal creatures were lying on bunks unable to move, while dead bodies were piled in heaps all around the camp, reeking of putrefaction.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Sep. 2025
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Likely only dead individuals, floating as gases formed by putrefaction accumulated in body cavities, entered the lagoon.—
David Bressan,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decomposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decomposition. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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