Synonyms of rotten

rotten

adjective

ˈrä-tᵊn 

1

as in spoiled

having undergone organic breakdown

rotten, smelly meat that should have been thrown out

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spoiled
• decayed
• decomposed
• rotting
• putrid
• bad
• corrupted
• putrefied
• sour
• addled
• polluted
• soured
• rancid
• contaminated
• fermented
• tainted
• turned
• decaying
• decomposing
• crumbled
• corroded
• moldy
• deteriorated
• impure
• off
• fouled
• curdled
• degenerated
• disintegrated
• putrescent
• defiled
• rank
• mildewy
• disintegrating
• sourish
• gangrenous
• putrefying
• moldering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fresh
• good
• sweet
• undecomposed
• preserved
• untouched
• unspoiled
• uncontaminated
• pristine
• untainted
• unpolluted
• undefiled

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

• evil
• immoral
• sinful
• bad
• unlawful
• vile
• vicious
• dark
• wicked
• wrong
• corrupt
• ugly
• obscene
• villainous
• infamous
• cruel
• nefarious
• cursed
• dirty
• iniquitous
• unethical
• illegal
• offensive
• unsavory
• improper
• nasty
• unauthorized
• unrighteous
• condemned
• sick
• contemptible
• naughty
• sordid
• disreputable
• fallen
• ill
• prohibited
• infernal
• despicable
• ignoble
• depraved
• dishonest
• forbidden
• degenerate
• atrocious
• perverted
• base
• objectionable
• loose
• mean
• unhealthy
• pernicious
• incorrect
• noxious
• miserable
• unwholesome
• snide
• scrofulous
• debased
• pestilential
• debauched
• reprehensible
• unclean
• wretched
• dissolute
• ungodly
• lousy
• evil-minded
• censurable
• unscrupulous
• blamable
• unprincipled
• blameworthy
• low
• barred
• libertine
• outlawed
• execrable
• unseemly
• low-minded
• reprobate
• discouraged
• indecent
• proscribed
• cussed
• vulgar
• errant
• dishonorable
• unbecoming
• defiling
• indecorous
• banned
• disallowed
• erring
• interdicted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• good
• moral
• right
• high
• honest
• decent
• virtuous
• ethical
• honorable
• sublime
• righteous
• noble
• just
• legitimate
• upright
• legal
• lofty
• elevated
• reputable
• scrupulous
• principled
• permitted
• permissible
• licensed
• clean
• authorized
• proper
• endorsed
• correct
• approved
• decent
• promoted
• white
• allowed
• supported
• sanctioned
• high-minded
• pure
• exemplary
• perfect
• wholesome
• innocent
• seemly
• decorous
• law-abiding
• encouraged
• blameless
• incorruptible
• venerable
• creditable
• commendable
• worthy
• immaculate
• uncorrupted
• spotless
• guiltless
• unobjectionable
• irreproachable
• chaste
• inoffensive
• respected
• esteemed
• unerring
• abetted
• squeaky-clean
• lily-white
• unfallen
• upstanding

3

as in unpleasant

not giving pleasure to the mind or senses

had a rotten time while on vacation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unpleasant
• bad
• harsh
• sour
• unpleasing
• ugly
• nasty
• bitter
• disgusting
• horrible
• sickening
• awful
• wicked
• disagreeable
• unwelcome
• dreadful
• shocking
• unlovely
• unpalatable
• uncongenial
• hideous
• distasteful
• icky
• unsavory
• yucky
• sick
• vile
• displeasing
• loathsome
• revolting
• horrid
• annoying
• abominable
• hateful
• odious
• repulsive
• gross
• appalling
• repugnant
• obnoxious
• ghastly
• foul
• irritating
• unholy
• obscene
• scandalous
• abhorrent
• hellish
• bilious
• nauseating
• villainous
• horrendous
• repellent
• noisome
• invidious
• offensive
• miserable
• nauseous
• seamy
• gnarly
• wretched
• beastly
• aggravating
• crummy
• vexing
• god-awful
• lousy
• crappy
• galling
• revulsive
• sucky
• cruddy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• good
• nice
• pleasant
• grateful
• welcome
• agreeable
• satisfying
• congenial
• gratifying
• palatable
• delicious
• delightful
• pleasurable
• sweet
• pleasing
• charming
• friendly
• jolly
• delectable
• dreamy
• amiable
• kindly
• felicitous
• cheery

4

as in terrible

extremely unsatisfactory

rotten housing conditions that no one should be forced to tolerate

Synonyms & Similar Words

• terrible
• horrible
• poor
• awful
• bad
• wretched
• dismal
• lousy
• atrocious
• abysmal
• execrable
• sucky
• defective
• flawed
• punk
• inadequate
• substandard
• miserable
• shameful
• deficient
• worthless
• inferior
• contemptible
• faulty
• useless
• lacking
• off
• insufficient
• mediocre
• wanting
• bum
• valueless
• low-grade
• reprehensible
• vile
• abominable
• odious
• damnable
• second-rate
• fiendish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• great
• wonderful
• marvelous
• excellent
• superior
• prime
• exceptional
• first-class
• bitchin'
• choice
• adequate
• premium
• sufficient
• first-rate
• satisfactory
• acceptable

5

as in poor

of low quality

I can't do anything with these rotten tools

Synonyms & Similar Words

• poor
• terrible
• cheap
• bad
• inferior
• coarse
• worthless
• common
• wretched
• miserable
• useless
• bum
• shoddy
• mediocre
• lousy
• crappy
• rubbishy
• low-grade
• cheesy
• junky
• execrable
• low-rent
• sleazy
• trashy
• second-rate
• counterfeit
• fake
• cheapjack
• trumpery
• gimcrack
• schlock
• cut-rate
• valueless
• indifferent
• bargain-basement
• lackluster
• tawdry
• shabby
• second-class
• el cheapo
• gaudy
• seedy
• meretricious
• showy
• garish
• kitschy
• swank
• glitzy
• tacky
• kitsch
• flashy
• sham
• ostentatious
• phony
• splashy
• brummagem
• ultracheap
• supercheap

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• good
• excellent
• fine
• superior
• first-class
• high-grade
• handsome
• elegant
• first-rate
• top-notch
• tasteful
• polished
• refined
• handcrafted

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of rotten

Being pelted on the world’s stage with the modern equivalent of rotten tomatoes – memes and scathing online posts – hasn't kept the dancer, born Rachael Gunn, from laughing. — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

His last Netflix partnership, the miniseries Zero Day, put up rotten scores. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Always bury the rotten fruit in the center of your compost pile to help mask the smell and deter unwanted animals. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026

For years, residents in Milpitas, parts of San Jose, and even Fremont have complained about a foul, rotten egg-like smell coming from the Newby Island Landfill near Interstate Highway 880. — Da Lin, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026