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
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Apr. 2025
Clogged Drains On the other hand, a smelly drain that gets frequent use may have a clog or decomposing matter in the pipes.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2025
Over time, mulch materials break down and decompose.
—Maryal Miller Carter, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
Hackman and Arakawa’s decomposing bodies were discovered by first responders on Feb. 26.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decompose
Verb
Although water is technically not a compost accelerator, adding water to dry compost piles helps organic matter decompose quicker.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Apr. 2025
Clogged Drains On the other hand, a smelly drain that gets frequent use may have a clog or decomposing matter in the pipes.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2025
Over time, mulch materials break down and decompose.
—Maryal Miller Carter, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
Hackman and Arakawa’s decomposing bodies were discovered by first responders on Feb. 26.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decompose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decompose
Verb
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Join 13 others in the comments View Comments Though defunct objects in space routinely fall out of orbit, most pieces of debris disintegrate entirely during the reentry process.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
9 May 2025
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The altitudes at which satellites disintegrate are too high for meteorological balloons to reach but too low for satellites to sample.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
5 May 2025
Noun
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The structure’s decay was captured in numerous photos, and demolition seemed imminent when the decision was made to rebuild it in conjunction with the new Power & Light District.—
Randy Mason,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2025
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The Context Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has frequently railed against fluoride—which medical and dental experts say can be crucial in preventing tooth decay and cavities, especially in children who live in areas with lower levels of fluoride in drinking water.—
Sonam Sheth,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
Verb
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The rotting teeth of our children because of this fluoride ban is a metaphor for the rot in our government.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
15 May 2025
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Watering them during this time can cause the bulbs to rot, especially in warm, humid conditions.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 May 2025
Noun
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Let stand for 6 or 7 hours, or until signs of fermentation (gas bubbles) appear.—
Kelly Brant,
Arkansas Online,
13 May 2025
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The mango trees next to our distillery attract fruit flies, and those fruit flies carry wild yeast that adds subtle complexity to the fermentation.—
Hudson Lindenberger,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Noun
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When the surgeons finally opened her with a piece of broken glass, the putrefaction was as warm as life.—
Nell Zink,
Harper's Magazine,
28 Feb. 2025
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Here was an artist drawn irresistibly to executions and corpses, dismemberment and putrefaction.—
airmail.news,
airmail.news,
20 Apr. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Decompose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decompose. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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