rot 1 of 2

1
2
as in decomposition
the process by which dead organic matter separates into simpler substances the rot begins shortly after the fish are killed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rot

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word rot different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of rot are decay, decompose, putrefy, and spoil. While all these words mean "to undergo destructive dissolution," rot is a close synonym of decompose and often connotes foulness.

fruit was left to rot in warehouses

Where would decay be a reasonable alternative to rot?

The words decay and rot are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, decay implies a slow change from a state of soundness or perfection.

a decaying mansion

When can decompose be used instead of rot?

The words decompose and rot can be used in similar contexts, but decompose stresses a breaking down by chemical change and when applied to organic matter a corruption.

the strong odor of decomposing vegetation

When would putrefy be a good substitute for rot?

While in some cases nearly identical to rot, putrefy implies the rotting of animal matter and offensiveness to sight and smell.

corpses putrefying on the battlefield

In what contexts can spoil take the place of rot?

While the synonyms spoil and rot are close in meaning, spoil applies chiefly to the decomposition of foods.

keep the ham from spoiling

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rot
Noun
Italian brain rot has now been memorialized in original songs and musical remixes of the text-to-speech audios. Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 29 May 2025 Gi-hun’s Christ-like sacrifice can only do so much—the rot is worldwide. Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
The report also said that hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of food and medicine were at risk of rotting or expiring after staff were blocked from delivering them because of spending freezes instituted by the Trump administration. Fatma Tanis, NPR, 16 July 2025 The vehicle also had trash and rotting food scattered throughout inside, according to the warrant affidavit. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 12 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for rot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rot
Noun
  • Use it to find and retrieve stray nuts or bolts in any crevice.
    Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Vegetables like broccoli, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, kale and asparagus are also included in most low-carb diets—as are eggs, cheese, Greek yogurt and nuts like walnuts, peanuts, macadamia nuts and pistachios.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But this week, the situation in Donetsk has rapidly deteriorated, with Russian forces making important advances to the north east of Dobropilia, altering control of the area Witkoff has been discussing with the Kremlin.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025
  • But after the Sriracha-maker callously withheld payments from Underwood, the relationship deteriorated and litigation followed.
    Kate Vitasek, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • However, when viruses were exposed to sunlight, many of them did not survive as long, decaying in under 24 hours.
    Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The result was not only environmental catastrophe but license for unchecked consumption of cheap plastic goods that can take a few minutes to use but hundreds of years to decay.
    Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • New York City has already begun working with neighborhood groups and activating organizations who sign up to be notified before a big rain to clean debris like falling leaves and garbage from the sewer drains in their community.
    Amy Chester, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2025
  • Check garbage collection schedules in Ohio Ohio's bigger cities won't see garbage trucks on Labor Day.
    Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Then dice and mix into leafy green salads with ingredients like nuts, seeds, and crumbled feta for a colorful, nutritious twist.
    Lauren O'Connor, Health, 5 Aug. 2025
  • However, the film often crumbles under the weight of the ambitions.
    Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • His family confirmed his death to PEOPLE and in a social media statement on Saturday, Aug. 9, one day after a decomposing body was discovered near the area where the teenager was last seen.
    Nicholas Rice, People.com, 10 Aug. 2025
  • However, the man’s face was badly decomposed and his identification by the city medical examiner is still pending.
    Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • While countless users dismissed the theories as nonsense, the dog pile had begun causing the hot takes to go viral.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Bon Jovi’s team dismissed word of the tour as nonsense.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The company behind the Warner Bros. studio, the HBO Max streaming service and cable networks including CNN and HGTV saw improving results for its streaming operations and production studios, even as conditions for its traditional TV networks appeared to worsen.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025
  • If the body is already in a state of chronic stress, for example, intense workouts can actually worsen the condition.
    Mélanie Defouilloy, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rot. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

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