1
as in spoiled
having undergone organic breakdown
rotten, smelly meat that should have been thrown out
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in evil
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable
played a rotten trick and then lied about it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unpleasant
not giving pleasure to the mind or senses
had a rotten time while on vacation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in terrible
extremely unsatisfactory
rotten housing conditions that no one should be forced to tolerate
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5
as in poor
of low quality
I can't do anything with these rotten tools
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rotten
Research suggests the planet, L 98-59 d, would smell like rotten eggs and is covered in a mushy magma ocean.
—
K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 11 May 2026
In a Facebook group with more than 17,000 members dedicated to discussing Florida’s sargassum, travelers regularly debate whether to keep or change their plans to avoid the rotten-egg-smelling seaweed.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 9 May 2026
The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index fell to its lowest level ever recorded, as war in the Middle East caused all demographic groups across age, income, and political party to feel rotten, prior to the announcement of the ceasefire.
—Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
Too much water can lead to rotten roots or fungal infections.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rotten
K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 11 May 2026
In a Facebook group with more than 17,000 members dedicated to discussing Florida’s sargassum, travelers regularly debate whether to keep or change their plans to avoid the rotten-egg-smelling seaweed.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 9 May 2026
The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index fell to its lowest level ever recorded, as war in the Middle East caused all demographic groups across age, income, and political party to feel rotten, prior to the announcement of the ceasefire.
—Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
Too much water can lead to rotten roots or fungal infections.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rotten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rotten
Adjective
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Also look for Janelle Monáe, who’s both amusing and charismatic as a spoiled trophy wife.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
15 May 2026
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My girl's gonna get spoiled — that's for sure — from Aunt Julianne.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Another pair of wins from KPop Demon Hunters, which are attached to the evil boy band Saja Boys, cracked the top 10 as well, and several members – the group is made up of Andrew Choi, Neckwav, Danny Chung, Kevin Woo and Samuil Lee – are usually classified as K-pop artists.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
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The filmmaker’s post included a photo of himself with a puppet of Metal Sonic, an evil robot version of Sonic from the gaming franchise that was teased at the end of the third movie.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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And since each state tax operates under its own often arcane rules, those costs can come as an unpleasant surprise.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
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His rhetoric is unpleasant and extreme enough that he could not get confirmed to a university board in Florida.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Residents describe ‘a terrible night’ More than 30 people were injured in the apartment building collapse, while emergency workers rescued 28 residents, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said.—
Samya Kullab,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
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And some were not kind to him on social media following the terrible first round.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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After wildfires hit Georgia in April 2026 fueled by a rain deficit, high winds and low humidity, — among other causes, per NASA — neighboring states got slammed with poor air quality alerts.—
Ryan Brennan
May 19,
Kansas City Star,
19 May 2026
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However his attitude on health care and taxes places Newsom at odds with advocates for poor Californians who would be affected and their allies in the Legislature, many of whom want a tax increase.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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Discard any that look dead or decayed.—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
2 Apr. 2026
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The farm buildings on the property—long verandas, shearing sheds, and concrete kennels—are old and decayed, remnants from long before the group showed up.—
Robert Rubsam,
The Atlantic,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Each side views members of the other party not as merely having a different view on politics but rather as evil or immoral.—
James Piazza,
Twin Cities,
30 Apr. 2026
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Pope Francis changed the church’s social teaching to declare capital punishment immoral in all cases.—
Nicole Winfield,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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West Ham showed themselves to be a bad team, less than the sum of their parts and wholly ill-equipped for the challenge in front of them.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
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Each reiteration and exaggeration of Mary’s bad behavior is another civic stroke of the chisel that perfects the monumental Lincoln in our collective imagination.—
Thomas Mallon,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rotten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rotten. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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