rotting 1 of 3

Definition of rottingnext

rotting

2 of 3

noun

rotting

3 of 3

verb

present participle of rot
1
2

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 rotting
Verb
Prevent infestations by repairing leaks, replacing rotting wood, sealing cracks, and improving ventilation. Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2026 The lowly maggot gets a bad rap, mostly known for feeding on corpses and rotting meat. Mustafa Fattah, NBC news, 17 May 2026 Young lettuce, kale, or broccoli plants should be planted so the root ball is level with the soil surface or just below; burying the stem or the crown too deeply can lead to rotting. Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 15 May 2026 Still, others were not convinced this method was effective long term, as peonies can be prone to rotting roots. Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 15 May 2026 Termites will always search for new sources of damp wood, so aside from chemical treatment, the best way to prevent an infestation is to avoid leaks and reduce moisture in your home, as well as avoid damp wood outside, like rotting stumps and firewood piles. Dan Simms, USA Today, 12 May 2026 Drying is also a good opportunity to cull out any severely bruised or rotting berries. Kelly Brant, Arkansas Online, 12 May 2026 Sargassum is washing up on South Florida beaches in mountainous amounts, rotting into a gag-worthy mush. Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 11 May 2026 This could explain why the scent of cigarette smoke and rotting fish had an impact on people who were snoozing, but not on people who were awake. Shayla Love, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rotting
Adjective
  • Many grapes become too rotted and are left to wither away.
    John Mariani, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The right-hand side of the picture is dominated by an enormous red-brick arch in a moderate but evident state of decay.
    Tyler Green, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
  • Rates below 10 to 12 percent raise immediate red flags about list decay or inflated subscriber numbers.
    Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Her family has said that her health had been deteriorating in prison, in part because she was heavily beaten during her arrest.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 May 2026
  • Giuliani's doctor, Maria Ryan, told Fox News correspondent Danamarie McNicholl that the former mayor began feeling ill after returning from a trip to Paris, with his breathing deteriorating to the point that he was placed on a ventilator.
    Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • From a nearby dumpster there came the sweet and musty smell of decomposing seafood.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
  • The moist interior of pipes can harbor decomposing food, attracting fruit flies from the kitchen itself.
    Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • The video marked the crumbling of his alibi, legal experts told CNN at the time.
    Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
  • Winter storms left its gazebo teetering, 50 feet of asphalt crumbling, and a dramatic 6 foot drop down to the sand.
    Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Yields had been down Friday morning, offering some relief, before wavering after oil prices erased their losses and the survey on consumer sentiment showed worsening inflation expectations.
    Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
  • In the weeks since the meeting, several officials have warned about the worsening inflation outlook as the Strait of Hormuz has remained effectively blocked and bond yields have soared.
    Bloomberg, Oc Register, 20 May 2026
Verb
  • The woman, her husband, Peter Temple, and the couple's 12 children, ages five to 17, were able to spend time at home with Pandora before her funeral thanks to a cooling bassinet, a medical device that preserves a baby's body and slows the decaying process through cold temperatures.
    Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
  • During a collision, gas clouds could be thrown down toward each galaxy’s center and ultimately fall into decaying orbits around each awaiting black hole, forming huge disks there that would become extremely hot and potentially extremely bright.
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 22 May 2026
Adjective
  • Discard any that look dead or decayed.
    Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 2 Apr. 2026
  • 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rotting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rotting. Accessed 24 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on rotting

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster