rot 1 of 2

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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
Shortly after, an unusual rot begins to affect the farm and its inhabitants. Big Think, 14 Oct. 2025 What begins as a search for a killer becomes a fight to uncover the rot beneath the town’s quiet surface. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
Brain rot is a slang term to describe content that has little to no artistic, educational or substantive value, according to KnowYourMeme. Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025 The garden reeks of rotting figs. David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rot
Noun
  • This recipe takes a simple pumpkin cake and turns it into a wonderfully decadent dessert with a creamy, spiced filling and whipped topping with caramel, toffee bars, and nuts.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Add nuts and seeds to your diet.
    Merve Ceylan, Health, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Based on the level of decomposition, officials estimated she had been dumped from the overpass at least a month earlier, according to the release.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Before storing the bodies in the crawl space, Gacy used lime to hasten the bodies' decomposition.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Data centers deteriorate rapidly, unlike the more durable infrastructure of canals, railroads, or even fiber-optic cables.
    Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2025
  • During an earnings call Wednesday, Lyons said Argentina’s deteriorating economic environment contributed to slowing growth and margin disappointment.
    Samantha Subin, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The leather on the shoes appears to be slightly decayed, worn, cracked and brittle, while the laces and midsole are stained, giving a distressed, lived-in effect.
    Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025
  • This approach blends technical discipline, probabilistic pricing and time decay into a cohesive framework.
    Michael Khouw, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • After an effort to create a Falls of the Ohio national park fell short in 1967, Kentucky and Indiana officials struggled to stop the falls from becoming a garbage dump.
    Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Generally, what happens to the White House’s trash is secret—at least as of 2018, which was apparently the last time the federal government released any information on where Oval Office garbage goes.
    Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Careers shift, relationships evolve and whatever’s been built on shaky grounds tends to crumble in order for something strong and enduring to take root.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025
  • While Dalton was inept in his fill-in duty, the Panthers’ defense also crumbled, especially against the run.
    DIAMOND VENCES, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Forensic entomology −the study of insects and arthropods on decomposing bodies − is crucial in homicide and death investigations, Musah told USA TODAY.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
  • The round spots seemed neat compared with their surroundings, clear of the layers of decomposing plankton spotted elsewhere on the seafloor.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The other side in a debate with common sense is nonsense.
    Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR, 22 Oct. 2025
  • That kind of no-nonsense mentality cuts right through all the nonsense and puts the focus on the work.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rot. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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