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
Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Feb. 2026
Mulch is also readily available, provided by the tree’s own slowly decomposing leaves, which fall throughout the year since this species is evergreen.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office determined at the time that Schlake drowned, but his body was in such a state of decomposition that officials could not immediately identify him, said Adam Linhardt, spokesman for the sheriff’s office.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decompose
Verb
Fifty-six days later, homicide investigators arrive at Oliver’s apartment to find an unidentified body—brutally murdered and intentionally decomposed.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Feb. 2026
Mulch is also readily available, provided by the tree’s own slowly decomposing leaves, which fall throughout the year since this species is evergreen.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
The body of a month-old boy found in a duffel bag stuffed in a closet inside his family’s apartment was in an advanced state of decomposition — and his mother told cops her son hadn’t been home for at least two weeks before being arrested for hiding his corpse, prosecutors said.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office determined at the time that Schlake drowned, but his body was in such a state of decomposition that officials could not immediately identify him, said Adam Linhardt, spokesman for the sheriff’s office.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decompose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decompose
Verb
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Generational lies begin to unravel, and the fabric of this family slowly begins to disintegrate.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
-
This vacuum was meant to prevent the tungsten filament––that’s the little wire inside the bulb, the thing that glows––from burning up and disintegrating immediately, which is what a very hot piece of metal would do in the presence of oxygen.—
Natalia Sánchez Loayza,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Leaking water can cause structural decay, mold growth, destroyed flooring, and more.—
Molly Burford,
Southern Living,
6 Feb. 2026
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Lambdas are ideal for spin research because the direction of a lambda’s spin can be inferred from the direction in which a proton or antiproton is emitted during its decay.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Tubers with healthy shoots get a head start on the growing process and are less likely to rot in the ground.—
Sheryl Geerts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Feb. 2026
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Of the millions of mattresses discarded each year globally, only a small fraction is ever recycled, leaving the vast majority to rot in overstuffed landfills.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In terms of ingredients, Momose expects to see more use of teas, roasted grains, botanicals, fermentation and culinary techniques that create depth without alcohol.—
Zareen Syed,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
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After fermentation and toasting, the beans are winnowed and placed in a melanger, a stone grinder that runs for up to 72 to turn the beans into a velvety, smooth paste.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
4 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
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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
“Decompose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decompose. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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