as in rotting
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as in decomposing
to go through decomposition
we traced the bad smell to a dead skunk putrefying under the house
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Recent Examples of putrefying
Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025
Verb
Because lose-lose situations are so endemic to the genre, a hint of relief can sometimes accompany the prospect of surrender to the putrefying mob.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for putrefying
Verb
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To prevent the fallow area from turning into a weed patch, cover it with agricultural-grade plastic or a thick layer of slowly decomposing mulch such as wood chips.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Funk assures that the softened, decomposing cardboard will allow plants to grow through.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This putrescent combination of sky-high home prices, rising mortgage rates and stifling consumer inflation have forced all but the wealthiest or most determined buyers out of a new home.—
Q.ai - Powering a Personal Wealth Movement,
Forbes,
17 Aug. 2022
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The most common are oils (cinnamon, clove, thyme, garlic, etc.), putrescent whole egg solids, dried blood, etc.—
Kym Pokorny,
OregonLive.com,
17 Apr. 2018
Verb
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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
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The bacteria can be found in many places, according to the FDA, including in soil, water, sewage, rotting vegetation and animals.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For her, the little pink houses of our decaying American mythology are still haunted enough to give her a few more good short stories.—
Jon Dolan,
Rolling Stone,
27 Feb. 2026
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Melton said the decaying structures impact children walking to school, bring down property values and stand in the way of progress.—
Carole Carlson,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Spray the moldy areas with your solution and allow the mixture to sit for at least 20 minutes to an hour.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2026
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An airline is under fire after a vegan passenger was served what appeared to be a moldy sandwich, photos indicate.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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By 2019, Virginia photographer John Plashal caught wind of what was disintegrating on Hankins' out-of-the-way acres.—
Danielle Paquette The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
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Around the world, states were disintegrating, climate systems were approaching tipping points, economies were stagnating, and inequality was rising.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Inspectors found widespread water intrusion, corroded piping and deteriorating concrete throughout City Hall and its two-level underground garage.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Feb. 2026
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Frail elderly women, swathed in headscarves and saris, worshipped while sitting on puddled pavement near corroded metal changing lockers plastered with ads for Glow & Lovely skin cream.—
Norma Meyer,
Oc Register,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Putrefying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/putrefying. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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