rot 1 of 2

noun

Definition of rotnext
1
as in garbage
language, behavior, or ideas that are absurd and contrary to good sense I won't stand here and listen to such rot

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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

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rot

2 of 2

verb

ˈrät How to pronounce rot (audio)
1
as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value the house slowly fell into disrepair and rotted

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2
as in to decay
to go through decomposition rotting vegetation on the bank of the river

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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
Just remove the moldy ones and check the surrounding berries for rot. — Jessica Farthing, Southern Living, 19 June 2026 That stopped the rot of five consecutive defeats. — Andy Jones, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Verb
Elevation blocks rodents, prevents rot and gives you sweeping access underneath. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2026 The old deck was rotting and had trees growing up through it. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for rot
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rot
  1. garbage
  2. decomposition
  3. deteriorate
  4. decay
  5. nuts
  6. crumble
  7. decompose
  8. nonsense
Noun
  • Building a new garbage incinerator plant now would cost Miami-Dade County $3 billion under a private development deal that’s facing criticism by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, according to a recent memo.
    — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
  • The notice of violation was issued on July 12, after the agency received more than 40 public complaints of rotten, sour, garbage-type odors in the area.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of garbage
Noun
  • Maintain Compost Bins Compost piles need to be kept damp in order to accelerate organic decomposition.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 3 July 2026
  • Authorities also found numerous dead animals in advanced stages of decomposition, including hundreds of chickens that investigators said had been discarded in bags and fed to the dogs, according to The Straits Times and The Standard.
    — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
Definition of decomposition
Verb
  • What began as a low-level juvenile case became five years in secure custody as his behavior deteriorated and new charges accumulated.
    — Christina Buttons, Washington Post, 14 July 2026
  • The sanctions come as the humanitarian situation on the island continues to deteriorate.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
Definition of deteriorate
Verb
  • Leave some messiness in your garden and leave the leaves, as decaying leaves are great habitat for fireflies.
    — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • Many kinds of fly larvae eat dead or decaying tissue and may sometimes end up on meat, but New World screwworm larvae need living tissue to survive and develop.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Definition of decay
Noun
  • California is significant because the state supplies nearly half of the vegetables and more than three-quarters of the fruits and nuts eaten in the United States.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 10 July 2026
  • Cashews and walnuts also contribute, alongside brazil nuts and pine nuts.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson July 9, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of nuts
Verb
  • Six months later, the longtime Sacramento Executive Airport institution remains closed after crews uncovered crumbling concrete, corroded rebar, asbestos and mold.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
  • But cliffs tend to crumble slowly over time, punctuated with a sudden collapse.
    — Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of crumble
Verb
  • What remains that haven’t been scavenged have decomposed to the point where DNA analysis is difficult and all but useless in Gaza, where there are no functioning laboratories able to test and compare samples.
    — Bilal Shbeir, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Earwigs primarily feed on plants and decomposing organic matter and do not infest or damage stored food in the way some beetles, weevils, and moths might.
    — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 July 2026
Definition of decompose
Noun
  • Until recently, that would have sounded like absolute nonsense.
    — Zach Harper, New York Times, 30 June 2026
  • There weren’t meetings with executives about tone and mood and all this nonsense.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 29 June 2026
Definition of nonsense

Browse Nearby Words

rosy
rot
rotaries
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Cite this Entry

“Rot.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rot. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rot

Nglish: Translation of rot for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rot

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