rots

verb

present tense third-person singular of rot
1
as in deteriorates
to become worse or of less value the house slowly fell into disrepair and rotted

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decomposes
to go through decomposition rotting vegetation on the bank of the river

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 rots The former may be a cesspool that rots our brains and amplifies ethnic hatred, but its dangers don’t compare to the dangers of RSI. — Sigal Samuel, Vox, 27 Oct. 2026 In my experience, environment, culture, clarity, psychological safety and pace determine whether talent produces or rots. — Nilton Bernini, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026 And be prepared to top off the soil in the future as the remaining root system rots away, causing the soil to sag. — Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2026 Messages break down, signals decay, information rots; the stuff of everyday data dystopia and media apocalypse, but in Braxton’s hands, raw material to be shaped into something recombinant and strange. — Reed Jackson, SPIN, 24 Aug. 2026 Medicine shortages have worsened and food rots in fridges without power. — Andrea Rodriguez, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026 Parents used to tell their children that television rots the brain; now it’s considered a medium for legitimate art. — New York Times, 1 June 2026 When the seaweed rots, hydrogen sulfide gas is emitted, which smells like rotten eggs. — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026 The big differences between the labs probably reflect the fact that, as Italians like to say, the fish rots from the head. — Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rots
  1. deteriorates
  2. decomposes
  3. crumbles
  4. disintegrates
  5. descends
  6. decays
  7. worsens
  8. declines
Verb
  • If the unrest continues, confidence deteriorates further or market tensions intensify, growth could be even weaker.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
  • As her brother Aldwin’s mental health deteriorates, Lil considers risking her future to travel to him.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of deteriorates
Verb
  • Remnants of a wooden spear weren’t found near the Neanderthal’s remains, which is understandable since the material often decomposes so quickly.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Named for the Frenchman Joseph Fourier, the Fourier transform decomposes any function into a set of simple waves, each with a different frequency, or tone.
    — Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of decomposes
Verb
  • When new, concrete possesses a thin, temporarily protective layer that, if not maintained, will wear away, exposing the interior, which gradually crumbles.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The Packers’ identity is that of a team that can’t shut the door, one that crumbles when momentum turns in a hostile away environment.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of crumbles
Verb
  • With each impact, Sarah’s face disintegrates into a bloodier pulp, her bone structure buckling under every successive thud until Nikki has finally and irrevocably rendered the character a faceless corpse.
    — Chris Lee, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Even those who can afford to stay suffer losses in home equity and lifestyle as the community around them disintegrates or disappears.
    — The Conversation, Fortune, 12 June 2026
Definition of disintegrates
Verb
  • If the atom was originally in its lowest possible energy state, the new arrival immediately defines a new set of energy levels, like a fire-escape ladder that suddenly descends.
    — George Musser, Quanta Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
  • And has there ever been a cozier spot than the March house when autumn’s chill descends?
    — Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of descends
Verb
  • By writing an out-of-the-money call and an out-of-the-money put for late October, traders can harvest the elevated premium as time value rapidly decays.
    — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
  • This radioisotope decays into technetium-99m, an essential diagnostic imaging agent used to detect cancer and cardiovascular disease.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of decays
Verb
  • Get evaluated if shoulder pain lasts more than a few weeks, worsens at night or begins limiting everyday movement.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Bar-Or distinguished the biology of relapsing MS — in which patients experience flare-ups — from progressive MS, which worsens gradually over time.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of worsens
Verb
  • Still, the ratings declines are a problem for Fox and Fox News, which will need to turn things around at some point.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Rama asks Lakshmana to share the responsibilities of government and accept the position of heir apparent, but Lakshmana declines.
    — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of declines

Browse Nearby Words

rototills
rots
rotted
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Cite this Entry

“Rots.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rots. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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