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
Wrapped in a biodegradable shroud of silk or wool, the body is placed in a pressurized chamber where a blend of hot water and chemicals accelerates natural decomposition.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026
Bacteria break down tissues and produce gases that contribute to the body's decomposition process.
—Layla Ferris, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
Sometimes compost becomes too acidic during decomposition, Ivanov says—fireplace ash helps neutralize this acidity.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 25 Feb. 2026
In fact, adding brown material like toilet paper tubes will even speed up the decomposition process and balance out your green kitchen waste.
—Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 19 Feb. 2026
Officials later confirmed Arakawa showed signs of advanced decomposition.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Bodies were found throughout the building, some stacked on top of one another, with swarms of bugs and decomposition fluid covering the floors, investigators said.
—Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Inches of body decomposition fluid.
—Jesse Bedayn, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026
Jacqueline’s remains were found in an advanced state of decomposition in a storage tote left outside a boarded up, abandoned home on Clark Street in New Britain in October.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2026
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026
Bacteria break down tissues and produce gases that contribute to the body's decomposition process.
—Layla Ferris, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
Sometimes compost becomes too acidic during decomposition, Ivanov says—fireplace ash helps neutralize this acidity.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 25 Feb. 2026
In fact, adding brown material like toilet paper tubes will even speed up the decomposition process and balance out your green kitchen waste.
—Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 19 Feb. 2026
Officials later confirmed Arakawa showed signs of advanced decomposition.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 18 Feb. 2026
Bodies were found throughout the building, some stacked on top of one another, with swarms of bugs and decomposition fluid covering the floors, investigators said.
—Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Inches of body decomposition fluid.
—Jesse Bedayn, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026
Jacqueline’s remains were found in an advanced state of decomposition in a storage tote left outside a boarded up, abandoned home on Clark Street in New Britain in October.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decomposition
Noun
-
The subsurface storage reserve acts as the ultimate shock absorber against price spike and the decay of petroleum reserves due to poorly managed well shut-in during crisis.—
Siddharth Misra,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The creation of a tiny black hole would only lead to its immediate decay.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Redzepi became a figurehead for the Copenhagen restaurant as well as a global authority on fine dining, fermentation and foraging since Noma’s founding in 2003.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
For instance, in recent weeks, the restaurant’s former director of fermentation, Jason Ignacio White, on social media alleged physical abuse and the exploitation of interns by Noma founder René Redzepi and his management team.—
Emily Wilson,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
6 Mar. 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 10 Mar. 2026.
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