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
The octopus had been preserved in formaldehyde, which halts decomposition.
—
Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 27 May 2026
Depending on soil temperature and moisture, the number of microorganisms in the soil, and the carbon content of the wastes, decomposition will occur in one month to one year to feed plant root systems.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 24 May 2026
Keep the mulch a few inches away from plant stems or bases to prevent them from getting damaged during decomposition of the grass clippings.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 May 2026
Excessive fly activity indicates decomposition is already underway, at which point the fruit's condition is as much the concern as the flies themselves.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 13 May 2026
Brian Eckenrode, a retired FBI forensic scientist and expert in human decomposition, joined them in 2021.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Authorities have not answered questions about what prompted the search, but scientists specializing in human decomposition and soil took samples from the ground.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
Use in hydrogen transportation The five-metal nanocrystals have proven effective in accelerating ammonia decomposition, a process vital for the hydrogen energy economy.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
Compost is that rich mixture of various nitrogen-rich materials — grass clippings, vegetable scraps, eggshells, tree leaves and more — after decomposition by microorganisms breaks them down.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 27 May 2026
Depending on soil temperature and moisture, the number of microorganisms in the soil, and the carbon content of the wastes, decomposition will occur in one month to one year to feed plant root systems.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 24 May 2026
Keep the mulch a few inches away from plant stems or bases to prevent them from getting damaged during decomposition of the grass clippings.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 May 2026
Excessive fly activity indicates decomposition is already underway, at which point the fruit's condition is as much the concern as the flies themselves.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 13 May 2026
Brian Eckenrode, a retired FBI forensic scientist and expert in human decomposition, joined them in 2021.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Authorities have not answered questions about what prompted the search, but scientists specializing in human decomposition and soil took samples from the ground.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
Use in hydrogen transportation The five-metal nanocrystals have proven effective in accelerating ammonia decomposition, a process vital for the hydrogen energy economy.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
Compost is that rich mixture of various nitrogen-rich materials — grass clippings, vegetable scraps, eggshells, tree leaves and more — after decomposition by microorganisms breaks them down.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decomposition
Noun
-
The 1970s were an evolutionary step for global science fiction films, with some of the most pivotal and game-changing releases helping to expand the genre by addressing environmental issues, political unrest, technology anxiety, societal decay, and existential questions of life and death.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
29 May 2026
-
Protects against rot and water infiltration, reducing the risk of weakening, structural failure, and decay.—
Timothy Dale,
The Spruce,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The honeylike hue comes from keeping white wine grape skins in contact with the juice during fermentation.—
Lori Rackl,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
-
Production typically includes brick-oven cooking, roller-mill extraction, and stainless-steel fermentation.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Nikolai Gogol’s will specified that his corpse must show visible signs of putrefaction before burial.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Oct. 2025
-
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 31 May. 2026.
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