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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

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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 rotten How does this not end up with boots smelling like rotten eggs? Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025 In total, it's fixed more than 23 million rotten links on Wikipedia alone, according to the organization. Emma Bowman, NPR, 23 Mar. 2025 The smell of rotten eggs, from when officials carted her off to quarantine without letting her refrigerate her groceries, is long gone. Vivian Wang, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2025 There weren’t just ‘rotten kids hanging out at the mall,’ as was said in those days. Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rotten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rotten
Adjective
  • While the practice of using haint blue to ward off evil spirits might not be as common, the color has bled into the mainstream, with major paint companies like Sherwin-Williams and PPG Industries, Inc selling paint inspired by the shade.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The royal palace is infested with evil spirits and one of them has taken hold of the young prince.
    Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Doing so consumes water, requires the use of often eco-unfriendly cleansers, and adds an unpleasant task to janitors' daily duties.
    Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 25 Apr. 2025
  • But that’s another unpleasant truth that is best left unspoken.
    The Editors, National Review, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Wade has been in a horrible slump since the season started and going in to Saturday night’s game against the Los Angeles Angels is hitting .096 (5-for-52) with a homer, seven RBIs, eight walks and an on base percentage of .213.
    Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The Braves desperately need to add a shortstop and some offensive help amid their horrible start to the season.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Consumer spending softened, increasing 1.8%, down from a 4% rise in the fourth quarter, but a decent performance in light of stock market turmoil and poor weather early in the quarter.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • In addition, preliminary research from the National Bureau of Economic Research estimates that poor mental health may cost the U.S. economy nearly $300 billion annually.
    Dilan Gomih, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Even children and adolescents express more willingness to shun and punish moral transgressors than people who do something personally obnoxious or offensive but not immoral.
    Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Regardless of what transpired between the two cast members, on or off screen, Aspen was unfairly portrayed as an immoral character.
    Taylor Crumpton, Essence, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • President Donald Trump intends to completely reimagine U.S. trade relations with our closest partners and fiercest rivals, for better or worse.
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Using one that’s old and worn out will be inefficient at best and give you a rash or razor burn at worst.
    Megan Gustashaw, Glamour, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Public interest in the film intensified after a stroke of terrible happenstance.
    Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
  • United have fallen massively and it’s been a terrible watch all season, bar a couple of highs.
    Andy Mitten, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Some cheaper tags don’t have a replaceable battery although some have rechargeable cells.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • China leads the global production of cheap goods made in large volume, such as dishes and cooking gadgets.
    Pablo Robles, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rotten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rotten. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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