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
On August 13, the bodies of the four men were discovered in the Parisian municipality of Choisy-le-Roi in varying states of decomposition.
—
Philippe Cordier, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2025
The child's body was found inside a cardboard box in a bedroom in an advanced state of decomposition, the document said.
—Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 18 Aug. 2025
The sheriff's office said more forensic testing is needed before a positive identification can be made due to the advanced state of decomposition.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
However, many SSDs include extra space to allow for decomposition over time.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2025
Spade said companies like Recompose use a process that mimics the natural process of plant decomposition, where plants biodegrade to become topsoil that then nurtures new life.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2025
Nanostructures made of inorganic chemicals printed on paper react with the gases released by decomposition; the nanostructures then change color in proportion to the gas concentration.
—IEEE Spectrum, 27 Nov. 2018
Philippe Cordier, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2025
The child's body was found inside a cardboard box in a bedroom in an advanced state of decomposition, the document said.
—Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 18 Aug. 2025
The sheriff's office said more forensic testing is needed before a positive identification can be made due to the advanced state of decomposition.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
However, many SSDs include extra space to allow for decomposition over time.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2025
Spade said companies like Recompose use a process that mimics the natural process of plant decomposition, where plants biodegrade to become topsoil that then nurtures new life.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2025
Nanostructures made of inorganic chemicals printed on paper react with the gases released by decomposition; the nanostructures then change color in proportion to the gas concentration.
—IEEE Spectrum, 27 Nov. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decomposition
Noun
-
What are some ways to prevent tooth decay or other dental issues?—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
24 Aug. 2025
-
When machines provide automation, human attention wanders and capabilities decay.—
David Autor,
The Atlantic,
24 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The company uses a proprietary fermentation process for a beverage that tastes like coffee but without caffeine or the environmental impact associated with coffee production.—
Forbes Asia Team,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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However, a group of international scientists has claimed that the microorganisms involved in the fermentation of cocoa beans determine the differences in taste.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
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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
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Fifty-three industrial plants are invited to squat there, in the center of the city, and the smell of decomposition and putrefaction and acidification, a stew of sulfur, chlorine, lye, and ammonia, suffuses the air.—
Caroline Fraser
June 10,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decomposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decomposition. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
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