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 house smelled of urine, feces and decomposition.
—
Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Jan. 2026
If the stump is in a low-traffic area and won't interfere with lawn mowing, the easiest removal method is natural decomposition.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2026
Alkaline hydrolysis uses water, alkaline chemicals, heat, and sometimes pressure and agitation to accelerate natural decomposition, according to the Cremation Association of North America.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
On the property, there were 27 deceased dogs documented since August 1st alone, all in varying stages of decomposition.
—J.d. Miles, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
The organic matter component of soil derives from the natural decomposition of dead plants, microorganisms, and small soil animals.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2026
Manage your compost pile properly to speed up decomposition.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 8 Jan. 2026
The team’s new polymer layer resists mixing with electrolyte solvents, instead favoring decomposition of salt anions.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 6 Jan. 2026
The findings are set to be published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, and are available as two pre-prints, one detailing the analysis of merging galaxies and AGN, and the other describing the AI image decomposition tool.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 10 Dec. 2025
Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Jan. 2026
If the stump is in a low-traffic area and won't interfere with lawn mowing, the easiest removal method is natural decomposition.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2026
Alkaline hydrolysis uses water, alkaline chemicals, heat, and sometimes pressure and agitation to accelerate natural decomposition, according to the Cremation Association of North America.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2026
On the property, there were 27 deceased dogs documented since August 1st alone, all in varying stages of decomposition.
—J.d. Miles, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
The organic matter component of soil derives from the natural decomposition of dead plants, microorganisms, and small soil animals.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2026
Manage your compost pile properly to speed up decomposition.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 8 Jan. 2026
The team’s new polymer layer resists mixing with electrolyte solvents, instead favoring decomposition of salt anions.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 6 Jan. 2026
The findings are set to be published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, and are available as two pre-prints, one detailing the analysis of merging galaxies and AGN, and the other describing the AI image decomposition tool.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 10 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decomposition
Noun
-
In the steppe everything crumbles and decays.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
-
However, a crack can expose a tree to fungal infection or decay, which could lead to the tree dying.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Some also note the fermentation process may produce compounds linked to better mood, energy and sleep.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
For me, moving from Portland’s craft beer scene to a brewpub in Singapore, and then to Dublin at Teeling, challenged me to think differently about ingredients, fermentation, and aging.—
Noel Burgess,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 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 29 Jan. 2026.
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