as in to disintegrate
to go through decomposition
detectives needed to know how long it would take a corpse to decompose to that advanced state
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decompose
Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
When microorganisms decompose organic matter in warmer soils, nutrients accumulate in the air and water pockets between soil particles.
—Aimee Classen, The Conversation, 16 Feb. 2026
Maria Braganini, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Inches of body decomposition fluid.
—Jesse Bedayn, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decompose
Verb
Most paper products decompose in landfills within a couple of months, according to RecycleNation, a recycling technology company.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
When microorganisms decompose organic matter in warmer soils, nutrients accumulate in the air and water pockets between soil particles.
—Aimee Classen, The Conversation, 16 Feb. 2026
Noun
Bodies were found throughout the building, some stacked on top of each other, with swarms of bugs and decomposition fluid covering the floors, investigators said.
—Maria Braganini, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Inches of body decomposition fluid.
—Jesse Bedayn, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decompose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decompose
Verb
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There was more funding for higher education, less restrictive laws, lower voting ages, better reproductive rights for women and easier divorces, while icons of popular culture gained far greater prominence and influence as stuffy hierarchies disintegrated.—
Jason Burke,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The café disintegrates, white-peach mimosas lost forever.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Buildings slid into decay, forcing out the elderly renters, bringing in an underclass -- criminals, dope users, the poor, unemployed Mariel refugees.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Cutting in the Wrong Places If done incorrectly, pruning trees can leave behind open wounds, permanent damage, or spreading decay.—
Nishaa Sharma,
The Spruce,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Cast-iron pipes rot away after decades of exposure to waste and grease, and clay tiles become brittle and break over time.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Zaber discourages doing too much work on trees that appear to be struggling, and sticking to the removal of clearly damaged, diseased, and rotting branches until the weather warms up.—
Nishaa Sharma,
The Spruce,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Brewers would stop the fermentation process halfway through so the alcohol never formed.—
William Jones,
Ascend Agency,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Kombucha Kombucha is made by combining tea with sugar, which serves as food for the symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts (SCOBY) during fermentation.—
Amy Brownstein,
Verywell Health,
26 Feb. 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
-
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
“Decompose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decompose. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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