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
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
Eckenrode, a retired FBI forensic scientist and expert in human decomposition, joined them in 2021.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 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
Alkaline hydrolysis — using water for cremation Alkaline hydrolysis is also supposed to mimic and speed up natural decomposition.
—Dorany Pineda, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Authorities said the remains were in an advanced state of decomposition and required several days to identify.
—Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Alkaline hydrolysis is also supposed to mimic and speed up natural decomposition.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
After decomposition, work the compost into your garden soil.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 1 May 2026
Turn the pile regularly to aerate the pile and speed up decomposition.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026
Eckenrode, a retired FBI forensic scientist and expert in human decomposition, joined them in 2021.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 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
Alkaline hydrolysis — using water for cremation Alkaline hydrolysis is also supposed to mimic and speed up natural decomposition.
—Dorany Pineda, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Authorities said the remains were in an advanced state of decomposition and required several days to identify.
—Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Alkaline hydrolysis is also supposed to mimic and speed up natural decomposition.
—ABC News, 1 May 2026
After decomposition, work the compost into your garden soil.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 1 May 2026
Turn the pile regularly to aerate the pile and speed up decomposition.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decomposition
Noun
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Decadence is sensuality and impotence, opulence and decay.—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
The human brain’s neurons experience similar modes of decay, and so, too, do our downstream behaviors.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
Noun
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See the process for yourself on the BONDED tour, which leads visitors deep into the process, from fermentation to barreling, with tastings along the way.—
Michelle Polizzi,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
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Here are four classic dandelion recipes that range from a quick weeknight side to a months-long fermentation project.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Nikolai Gogol’s will specified that his corpse must show visible signs of putrefaction before burial.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Oct. 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 9 May. 2026.
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