rotting 1 of 3

adjective

as in rotted

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rotting

2 of 3

noun

as in decay

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rotting

3 of 3

verb

present participle of rot
1
as in deteriorating
to become worse or of less value the house slowly fell into disrepair and rotted

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decomposing
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 rotting
Verb
If for some reason the plants are staying too wet, the roots and lower stems may be rotting. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2026 The directives also require the companies to remove, within 45 days, the millions of pounds of rotting food inside the warehouse. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026 Once the story gathers everyone into the house and lets the mayhem start in earnest, an overall feeling of Gothic grimness and rotting-corpse griminess takes hold. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2026 There is also brick loss, structural cracks and rotting window units at risk of collapse, according to the inspection. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026 Through the forest of these pines, a patch of rotting thimbleberry, the scent of cooling sap. — Emily Ruskovich, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026 Applying mulch directly against plant stems traps moisture, leading to rotting and other issues. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2026 Store your pillows and pool supplies in the Keter Signature 150 Gallon Deck Box, which uses DecoCoat technology that can withstand rain, sun, and extreme weather, and is designed to avoid splintering, fading, or rotting. — Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 The old deck was rotting and had trees growing up through it. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rotting
  1. rotted
  2. decay
  3. deteriorating
  4. decomposing
  5. decaying
  6. crumbling
  7. worsening
  8. disintegrating
Adjective
  • Inspect fences and perform any repairs or maintenance, such as reinforcing posts or replacing rotted sections.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026
  • Many grapes become too rotted and are left to wither away.
    — John Mariani, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Definition of rotted
Noun
  • Rather than arguing that hallucinations are the greatest threat, this article contends that the more significant long-term risk is human skill decay.
    — Demetri Giannikopoulos, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • Significant rain can leave open trash cans soggy and soak any outdoor debris to the point of decay.
    — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 8 July 2026
Definition of decay
Verb
  • Loose-leaf tea also utilizes larger grounds and leaf particles, which prevent the tea from deteriorating as quickly as similar bagged options.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
  • But Pavarini says the road remains in deteriorating condition despite the HOA signing a roughly $406,000 construction contract.
    — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026
Definition of deteriorating
Verb
  • The earthy scent of decomposing leaves and soil contributes to the smell.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 July 2026
  • The Yolo County Central Landfill will build a new system that will convert methane from decomposing waste into renewable natural gas, the county announced Tuesday.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of decomposing
Adjective
  • The district also could be in for other major changes in the coming years, including the opening of a few new schools to replace multiple decaying, underenrolled schools.
    — Scott Travis, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026
Definition of decaying
Noun
  • York said Republicans still need the president’s leadership in the midterm elections and cannot rely on the Democratic Party crumbling.
    — Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2026
  • If approved, the measure would take effect as soon as April 1, 2027, and would generate about $20 million annually to help pay for things such as replacing the crumbling, 100-year-old, concrete-and-steel approach ramp that provides the only access to the city’s iconic wooden pier.
    — Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2026
Definition of crumbling
Verb
  • Russia's economic situation Long queues have been seen at Russian petrol stations as the country grapples with a worsening fuel crisis.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 10 July 2026
  • The result is regional governments left with fewer resources to adapt to the worsening climate crisis, including efforts to combat water scarcity.
    — Sarah Yerkes, Time, 10 July 2026
Definition of worsening
Verb
  • That changed in April 2023 when unknowing construction workers unceremoniously removed a disintegrating Pinky from its eyrie.
    — Ryan Steven Green, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
  • The experiments have shown how a self-repair mechanism enables the spindle to stabilize itself under force and avoid disintegrating.
    — Jake Buehler, Quanta Magazine, 29 June 2026
Definition of disintegrating

Browse Nearby Words

rotters
rotting
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Cite this Entry

“Rotting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rotting. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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