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
What starts as an investigation into a deadly fire at a nightclub in Bucharest evolves into an exposé on systemic rot in Romania’s government and healthcare industry. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025 The love story between Ophelia and Hamlet collapses under pressure from her family and the rot of the Danish court. Bryan West, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
If Britain continues down the path of criminalizing thought and prayer, the alliance risks being reduced to polite diplomacy while its moral core rots away. Lois McLatchie Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025 But when confronted with some 1,500 rotting rats, the zookeepers had a change of heart. Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rot
Noun
  • On August 22, Blue Bell Creameries announced a voluntary recall of its 64-ounce Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream due to the presence of undeclared nuts, which pose a risk to individuals with nut allergies.
    Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Just roll it over large patches of nuts and the roller collects them quickly.
    Christopher Murray may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The issue of decomposition The research centered on a type of battery known as LNMO (composed of lithium, nickel, manganese, and oxygen).
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2025
  • On August 13, the bodies of the four men were discovered in the Parisian municipality of Choisy-le-Roi in varying states of decomposition.
    Philippe Cordier, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The 112-year-old school building has asbestos and a deteriorating foundation.
    Erica Mosca, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
  • But when the levees failed, thousands of people were trapped inside as supplies dwindled and conditions deteriorated quickly.
    Sarah Alegre, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Researchers from each, plus the United States, were attempting to decipher the challenges presented by opposing either a regime or a decaying democracy.
    Ron Scherf, Time, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Their decaying carcasses led to the rapid deterioration of water quality and an explosion of harmful bacteria, researchers said.
    Lauren Liebhaber September 5, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • One reader emailed us to emphatically declare Andrew the worst, citing its homeless population, garbage and bird poop.
    Isabelle Friedman, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025
  • So San Diegans are helping with the $1 million-per-day cost of garbage removal there, too.
    Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The falling soufflé as a symbol of the crumbling hotel is the kind of heavy-handed touch Solnicki rarely indulges.
    Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Are any of these characters real, or just in the imagination of a crumbling gambler falling deeper into the rabbit hole à la Burt Lancaster’s slow mental breakdown in The Swimmer?
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The farm worked with Ducks Unlimited for a different conservation easement applicable to its rice fields, and was an early adopter of post-harvest flood practices to decompose rice straw left over from harvest.
    Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • While strontium aluminate can readily decompose in plants, posing harm to plant tissue, Liu said, the scientists developed a chemical coating for the material that acts as a protective barrier.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • This smacks of fake tough guy nonsense.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2025
  • And then a lot of nonsense, which comes with the script.
    Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rot. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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